Deuteronomy 32:51 This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites.
“Faith believes that God will do what He says He will.”
Faith is not a feeling but a commitment. If we are not committed to hold on to our faith tenaciously, we will break in challenging circumstances and crucible conditions. Moses broke faith under intense pressure and stress. During the journey in the Desert of Zin there was no water so the people complained and quarreled with Moses. The Lord gave Moses a clear direction. “Take the staff of Aaron from my presence and speak to the rock”. So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him (Numbers 20:9) but instead of speaking to the rock, he hit it twice!
This staff of Aaron, that was in the Lord’s presence, was the same rod that sprouted, budded, blossomed and brought forth almond fruits (Numbers 17:8). The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 17:10). So, when Moses hit the rock, the fruits and flowers must have smashed and shattered!
The Faith Bubble:
1. Cracked: Moses insulted the Lord by his disobedience before the whole grumbling community of Israelites. Yet, water gushed out of the rock, but as the rock broke open, so did his faithfulness! The Lord told Moses since he “broke faith” and shattered his witness before the people, he was denied access into Canaan. Moses cracked the faith-bubble by his disobedience.
2. Contaminated: The people complained and contaminated their faith. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God (Hebrews 4:2). Hence the whiners with contaminated faith did not enter the Promised Land.
3. Crushed: Broken faith crushes the fruit of the spirit. Allegorically, the disobedience of Moses shattered his testimony when he hit the rock with Aaron’s budded rod.
Faith is a commitment.
Prayer: Dearest Holy Spirit, without your help I cannot grow in faith or in the fruit of the spirit. Help me! Amen.
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