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Day 46, or February the 15th. Some consequences are best avoided. Our thoughts today are rooted

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in Numbers chapter 20 verse 12. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not trust

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in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this

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community into the land I give them.

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And now the big picture surrounding this verse. These chapters give us more details about

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the priesthood and their preparations for ministry. Meanwhile, everyday problems continue

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to test Moses and the people. Lack of water is a big issue in the wilderness, which is

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resolved at great cost to both Moses and Aaron. They encounter problems when trying to pass

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through the land of the Edomites, all because of the ancient feud between Jacob and Esau.

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And now today's action step. Moses and his brother Aaron were truly great leaders, but

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even for them disobedience had its consequences, and sometimes these could be very great. It

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seems such a small thing that they do, hitting the rock rather than speaking to it, but there's

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much more to it than that. Even today there are Bedouins who are able to strike at a rock

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at just the right place to release hidden streams of water. They are seen as very wise

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and clever people. God told Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock. If they had, then the

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resulting water would have been attributed to God. As it was, the praise went to Moses

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and Aaron. Don't ever try to rob God of His rightful glory by claiming the credit yourself.

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I've heard preachers talk of conversions they have made, growth in membership following

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their dynamic ministry, etc., etc. May they be forgiven. When God produces something in

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your life or ministry, thank Him and give Him the glory. As soon as all you do is in

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your own strength, you will soon burn out. That could be why you are so exhausted as

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you are listening to this. Don't suffer from the eye strain. Allow God to work through

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you and then give Him the glory. Mind you, there's nothing wrong with you enjoying the

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results as well.