DAY 68 Read Deuteronomy 3 and 4.
Today's reading gives us an insight into the close relationship between Moses and the Lord. Tucked in between military records and solemn warnings is a pathetic prayer and the Lord's response.
Memory gem: "I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon" (Deuteronomy 3:25).
Thought for today:
Poor Moses! He was human. Like so many of us, he spoke "unadvisedly with his lips" (Psalm 106:33). Someone says, "Well, Moses had enough to provoke him." Yes, he did indeed--more than enough--but that was no excuse for sin. "Ye rebels," he said. Well, they were rebels; but it was God's authority, not his, to say it. Even truth is not be spoken in passion and impatience.
"Must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Moses asked? Numbers 20:10. Here he failed to give glory to God, who alone could give water in the wilderness; and, by smiting the rock the second time, Moses took away the force of the lesson which the Lord designed to teach His people. Christ is the true Rock. And the rock, being a symbol of Christ, had been smitten once, just as Christ was to be offered only once. The second time it was necessary only to speak to the rock, as we too have only to ask for blessings in the name of Jesus. So you see, by smiting the rock twice, Moses marred the symbolism representing Christ.
Sin is sin, and God does not play favorites. He is "no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34). In his life and death, Moses teaches us that no transgression escapes its appropriate punishment. "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The loftiest saint who disobeys does not escape the law of retribution.
Friend, let us learn from the story of Moses that sin is sin; that God's law is immutable; but that, through Christ's atoning blood shed for us upon the cross, God's grace is greater than all our sin; that we may find forgiveness and eternal salvation in Him.
Today's reading gives us an insight into the close relationship between Moses and the Lord. Tucked in between military records and solemn warnings is a pathetic prayer and the Lord's response.
Memory gem: "I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon" (Deuteronomy 3:25).
Thought for today:
Poor Moses! He was human. Like so many of us, he spoke "unadvisedly with his lips" (Psalm 106:33). Someone says, "Well, Moses had enough to provoke him." Yes, he did indeed--more than enough--but that was no excuse for sin. "Ye rebels," he said. Well, they were rebels; but it was God's authority, not his, to say it. Even truth is not be spoken in passion and impatience.
"Must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Moses asked? Numbers 20:10. Here he failed to give glory to God, who alone could give water in the wilderness; and, by smiting the rock the second time, Moses took away the force of the lesson which the Lord designed to teach His people. Christ is the true Rock. And the rock, being a symbol of Christ, had been smitten once, just as Christ was to be offered only once. The second time it was necessary only to speak to the rock, as we too have only to ask for blessings in the name of Jesus. So you see, by smiting the rock twice, Moses marred the symbolism representing Christ.
Sin is sin, and God does not play favorites. He is "no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34). In his life and death, Moses teaches us that no transgression escapes its appropriate punishment. "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The loftiest saint who disobeys does not escape the law of retribution.
Friend, let us learn from the story of Moses that sin is sin; that God's law is immutable; but that, through Christ's atoning blood shed for us upon the cross, God's grace is greater than all our sin; that we may find forgiveness and eternal salvation in Him.
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