Today’s Reading, Numbers 18-20
Focal Scripture: Numbers 20:11 “Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that abundant water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.”
Being a leader comes with a great responsibility. It also means that it comes with great consequences. To many times leaders go down their own path instead of following the simple commands of the Lord. When this happens it damages the leaders reputation and it also hurts the people they are leading. A believer who leads must be a person who listens to and does what the Lord commands. If they do not they will set a bad example and face severe consequences.
In today’s reading we see this happen in real time. Moses was clearly told to speak to the rock and then water would flow from it for the people. However, Moses decided to strike the rock twice. God still allowed the water to flow for the people so a physical need could met. Unfortunately, for Moses and Aaron their disobedience would keep them from entering the promised land. They suffered real consequences.
This account in scripture should always give leaders a sense of accountability. We know that every decision we make, we will have to give an account to the Lord. This is especially true for leaders in the church and Christian settings. Far too often leaders in the church setting disregard the commands and instructions of the Lord. This can be done in a variety of ways. The most obvious way is when the church is ran like a business not like a church. It also happens when pastors/deacons believe they are the main authority in a church not the word of God.
I want to take a moment and pause here and remind everyone that most churches and leaders have good hearts and desire to serve the Lord faithfully. Unfortunately, the ones who don’t get all of the attention. Even culturally right now bad leaders are being exposed by people with large platforms.
The intent of today is to remind anyone in leadership that they can and will receive consequences from the Lord for being disobedient to his commands. Nobody is exempt from this holy standard. Not me and not even the greatest leaders in the world. Obedience to the Lord is the standard.
So today would you receive praise or consequences for your obedience?
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Numbers 21-22
