Friday 26 July 2024
The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” (vs 5-6)
Background
I think we have been here before! Earlier this week God provided quails and manna. The people's food needs are sorted – and their needs continue to be met throughout their wilderness journey (mirrored in Numbers 20:2-13). This time they are thirsty. They come before Moses; Moses comes before God; and God answers with some instructions. Moses is invited to go ahead of the people with some elders and his staff and to strike the rock (v. 5).
God doesn’t make it easy. They have work to do and they have to trust God – all eyes are on them. But God gives them a promise. He informs Moses “I will be right there in front of you” (v. 6). Though Moses has to lead the people and take others with him as he strikes the rock, God is already there. As we follow the journey through, we find that this is the pattern of how God behaves. He goes ahead, before us and is there as we arrive.
This story for me has two points to note. Moses sometimes struggles in leadership (v. 4). Even Moses struggles to maintain his lead, which is some comfort for those among us with a leading role. The key is that he takes his trouble to God. And here’s the second point: God provides – this time water in the desert. The great thing is that God continues to use Moses as his agent. God could have just made the water flow. After all, God is God. But God had chosen Moses to lead and doesn't usurp him in this crisis, rather God enabled him. Through these wilderness stories we continue to learn more of God’s nature and how God uses us.
To Ponder:
- How are you being called to step forward in faith?
- Have you ever experienced God standing there in front of you? If so, dwell on that thought. If not, then reflect back to see if it’s something you have missed.
- How will you allow God to use you in leading God's people and in quenching their spiritual thirst?
- Where do you sense that God is leading you? Pray and ask for a sign of his presence.
Prayer
Loving, caring God, help me to see how you walk with me, beside me and before me. Help me to sense and acknowledge your presence and to journey today with you. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd David Newlove
David is Co-Superintendent in the North Cumbria Circuit. He is also an agricultural chaplain and he has been designated as the Mission Area Lead for Cumbria in the new North West England District.