How many of us have looked at the life of Moses and said if only I could be used like he was for God.
I love the story of Moses’ life and all that happened to and through him. When we come to the end of our life and look back and see what the Lord has done, I wonder how we will feel…
At 120 yrs old, Moses climbed Mount Nebo and saw the land of Canaan (the promised land). He remembered God’s word, fell to his knees, and wept, possibly…
Moses was such a God-fearing man who encountered God in so many extraordinary ways; right from the moment he was born, God’s hand was upon him:
- Placed in a basket on the river Nile and lived in a palace
- Called and commissioned at the burning bush
- The plagues in Egypt, none of which touched the people of God living in Gursham
- As Moses raised his staff over the red sea, it parted, and the people went over on the dry ground
- The Glory cloud and the fire of His presence accompanied them for 40 years
- Supernatural provision of manna, meat and water flowing from the rocks, which looked after 3-4.5 million people
- Living in the Glory Cloud for forty days
- God spoke to Moses, face to face, as you would a friend.
Through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy for over 40 years, Moses interceded before God for the people. How gracious God was with the people, even in their grumbling and rebellion towards Him and Moses.
There is a second account of when water poured out from a rock.
The people of God were grumbling again because there was no water to drink.
Num20:6-12
Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
Moses was led up to the top of Mount Nebo at the end of his life. Moses could see the promised land but knew he would never set foot in Canaan. (Deut 32:50-52).
In the above passage, Moses had just come from the presence of the Lord, and he had His staff in his hand – a picture of the presence and authority of the Lord.
God told Moses to speak to the rock, but instead, he shouted and got angry at the people.
God told Moses to speak to the rock, but instead, he struck the rock twice with the staff.
Water still flowed from the rock, and the people would have celebrated as they drank that fresh, clear water…
Because of that one act of disobedience – Moses never stepped into Canaan.
Sometimes in our lives, we miss God’s best because of a character defect. Moses’ issue was anger. He killed an Egyptian, smashed the stone tablets and struck the rock.
God’s gifts and calling are without repentance, and that’s why we hear of many men and women of God who are used mightily by the Lord but don’t finish well; in terms of walking in the plan and purpose God intended for them.
It says of Moses that there was no prophet in Israel like him, that he spoke to God face to face. The Lord buried him with his eyes bright and strength in his body. Many years later, Moses entered the land of Canaan when he met Jesus on a mountain of transfiguration.
For you and me, what can we learn to fulfil our destiny and walk in all that the Lord has for us as his disciples?
The biggest lesson we could ever learn is:
A gift is given, the anointing and authority we walk in has nothing to do with our character.
Our character is developed over time as we allow the Word and the Spirit to help shape our lives. It’s being a living sacrifice, “fire never falls on an empty altar”.
The real question we need to ask ourselves is not if we are pleasing man but are we walking as Christ has asked. “Going low and slow” in humility and finding that the floor is the new door. As Satan exalted himself, he became low, and as the Lord humbled Himself, He was raised up.
Several times in my life, I have seen God do extraordinary things as I have prayed and ministered to others. At times, the excitement and the thrill of the anointing and authority that the Lord can give someone can be overwhelming. And as it continues to develop, we must also look at and deal with our character.
Our character will enable us to continue to grow and walk in all that the Lord has for us.
In all we do, Jesus is our example, and His character is what we aspire for.
The Character of Christ is found in
Galatians 5 – The fruit of the Spirit, we well as The Beatitudes in Matthew 5. As we walk with Jesus letting His Word and the Spirit change our lives, we will be able to develop a conduit through which the fullness of the Spirit can flow.