."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12)
If I truly had faith, that I could move mountains, I would show up every single day, and say God, where do I start digging today?
FAITH SHOWS UP.
And it shows up, with a shovel.
Numbers 20:2-13
2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle,[a] where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “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.”
9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 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?” 11 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.
12 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!” 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.
Here are God’s instructions:
Get Aaron’s rod (get it, not use it)
Speak to the rock
You will give them water
What actually happened:
He used the rod to strike.
He spoke to the people.
He gave them water.
What works, is not the best measure of what’s right, before God.
He DID NOT demonstrate God’s holiness to the people.
Although he provided water, he did not provide the correct representation of the heart & character of God.
God will get his glory--but will it come through our obedience or our correction?
FAITH SHOWS UP, BUT IT SHOWS UP WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.