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It it so easy to forget an important moment, although that moment may seem to be gone forever. Some should last to be remembered always.

Israel, when they were delivered out of Egypt, remembered for a while. But things got tough, they forgot the value of their deliverance. They grew weary with the journey. They were on the edge of a new land, a new life of abundance and peace.

But...they could no longer trust Moses and Aaron, and those who brought back a good report of the land they were not ready to enter. They refused the opportunity, because being weary they feared the inhabitants of the promise land more than the promises of God through Moses. At the last moment, the moment of opportunity, they grew too weary. Their faith faltered. The result? The lived forty years in the desert rather than receive the deliverance they had been promised. They could not trust God for the last mile.

That which is recorded was recorded for our instruction and admonition. This is especially true concerning the Bible.
So much of the Exodus of Israel as they commenced the long journey out of slavery in Egypt can be an allegory of the Christian life. Much is revealed about our human nature, as we struggle with hardships, making right and wrong decisions. And, similar to the experiences of the Israelites, we grow weary living a Christian life. Even when we know that God only knows that which is for our good. The Apostle Paul spoke to those of his day, which is also meant for our days, even to Jesus' return:

" Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Corinthians 10:11)

The difficulties and the problems of our moments seem to almost unbearable at times. So it was with the Israelites. But not only the Israelites per se, but also the leader of millions for whom God had given the leadership to bring them in a land "flowing with milk and honey". Moses seemed to be the one leader who would lead them into the land of promise, but even he became frustrated with those whom he led. Out of this frustration came the only recorded error on the part of Moses. The irony of the event is that Moses did not fail or refuse to obey God. Moses struck the rock, as God told him to. However, he responded out of anger and frustration, struck the rock as God had told him to do. This was a subtle disobedience - a disobedience of doing more than God instructed; and most of all, in a spirit of anger and frustration with the Israelites. (Numbers 20:11-12

For us today, there is a vital lesson in this part of the story. Most of the time, it is not wrong for us as Christians to do more than commanded by God's word. Rather, it is often the reverse...we are slack in our obedience to a plain requirement of us.

It is easy and most of the time right to do more than required of us. However, going above and beyond more than is expected of us can be a matter of pride, or frustration as Moses. Moses obeyed God our of a spirit of anger. Anger does not work the righteous of God. Rather, it can be sin, even thought the result of our actions may be good for someone else.

The old saying comes to mind..."attitude, attitude, attitude!"

Let us not do our good deeds out of frustration done only as a requirement rather than a privilege, a joy, and delight that Jesus is glorified. As a result, everyone gains. No one looses.

And remember the difficulty, if it is a difficulty, and do good with a right and loving attitude.

The difficulty will last only for a moment...the reward, for eternity.

"For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers)." - (Galatians 6:8-10)

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Renew a Right Spirit