Day Twenty-Seven: Bold action, versus angry action
He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
There’s a difference between BOLD action and ANGRY action. God didn’t penalize Moses for getting angry with the people on GOD’S behalf earlier, but He did penalize him for getting angry with the people on his own behalf!
Sometimes we get so frustrated with people and situations (and not without reason) that we are tempted to take ANGRY action rather than BOLD action. Angry action is a response to frustration, BOLD action is a response to FAITH and trust.
At that time I pleaded with the Lord: “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.” But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.”
I have to cringe at Moses’ attempt to blame the people even after God has told him clearly that the reason he would be unable to set foot in the Promised Land was because he failed to trust God enough.
It’s interesting to note that this is exactly the same reason a whole generation died in the wilderness; they also failed to see what God had promised, because they didn’t trust Him. They chose fear over faith! In the same way, we can’t blame people for our inability to move forward, even if they frustrate us!
Thank God we are living under the covenant of GRACE so that when we do favor ANGRY action over BOLD action we can simply ask God for forgiveness, which has already been bought and given and adjust our action to BOLD action through faith.
If angry action has been a part of your past, why not exchange it for bold action today!
Blessings,
Jane Evans