“God’s word, God’s way”
We just returned from visiting the Holy Land and going over my notes I came across this photo of Mount Nebo. Moses was allowed to view the promise land from here but he never entered. Why was that? I mean, it was Moses! A man that God was close to!
As a minister or as a Christian we have a responsibility to do exactly what God says and deliver it how God says. Here is the story.
To begin with let me remind us of what James had to say about those who teach and represent God to people. I believe it applies to everyday life as a Christian as well. James 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” If God says something is sin, leave it at that, don’t water it down. Say what He says, don’t say what you think He should have said.
Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because when God told him to speak to a rock so that it would send out water for the Israelites to drink in the desert, Moses struck the rock with his staff instead. Certainly the direct consequences of this action were not bad for the Israelites. They had been in danger of dying of thirst, and this action saved them. But the indirect consequences were very dangerous spiritually.
God had told Moses to gather all the Israelites together in front of the rock, and God had given him these instructions: “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water.” Instead we see that Moses struck the rock twice.
Numbers 20:10-13 10 “Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. 12 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” 13 These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.”
It is important to always deliver the word of the Lord, just as the Lord gives it to you. Be cautious to never water it down or add to the word of the Lord. Here at the Glory Barn we encourage the prophetic gifting. We express the importance of doing and delivering what God says, God’s way. Mose didn’t deliver the act of the Lord exactly the way God told him to and it cost him greatly.
As we as a church, move forward into more of God’s glory and presence, let me again encourage you to do it God’s way. Don’t water it down, don’t make it angry if that was not God’s delivery method. Do it God’s way and you will see the promise land.
- Pastor Belinda 🌷
Below is my photo of Mount Nebo -Part of the Abarim mountain range, Mount Nebo is mentioned in the Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death. The view from the summit provides a panorama of the West Bank across the Jordan River valley. The city of Jericho is usually visible from the summit, as is Jerusalem on a very clear day.
Mount Nebo