TROUBLE WITH A CAPITAL 'T"

Deut. 1:2 says, "Don't do it--I'm not with you in this!"  These words are just a part of a statement in Moses' sermon to the people of Israel. In them, God is telling Moses what He wants the people to hear.  "Don't go up to fight the Amorites; I will not protect you!"


Before this, Moses was the man of the day!  Everything coming next, though, was given to Joshua and Caleb to do.  Moses would not get to see the Promised Land having taken credit as  a hero when he brought the people water  from the rock at Meribah. (The story in Numbers 27:12-14 and Exodus 1:7)


God's warning to Moses must have brought Moses a sadness, reminding him of his human response of wanting to be the hero as he hit the rock with his staff to bring forth the blessed water to the complaining Israelites. I must confess, my reaction to Moses situation probably would have been the same as Moses.  Being constantly the go-between for my beloved God and the Israelites who constantly complained and grumbled, would have been hard.  The situation would certainly have made me weary and angry!


But, Lord, you have not approached me with anything quite that troublesome.  Thankfully, my bouts with trouble, although being difficult for me, taught me more than I might ever otherwise have learned without it!


Please keep me in your service, with or without trouble. Amen.


Jo INMN