“Have You Ever Lost Your Temper?”
DISCUSSION
Losing my temper has always been one of my short
comings. In the heat of the moment, I
tend to scream, make exaggerations and stomp my way into proving a point. I’m not saying it is right, but at least I do
feel a little better knowing that I am in good company with the leader of the
nation of Israel; Moses. It must have
been very frustrating for Moses to trust in God so much only to see his own
people’s trust fade so quickly in a moment of conflict. In Numbers 18-20, we find the nation of
Israel in a similar situation as before, in having a lack of drinking
water. Moses and Aaron once again go
into the presence of the Lord to ask for help.
God, in his great mercy and grace, agrees to help by giving specific
instructions to Moses; to tell the rock to bring forth water. As directed, Moses and Aaron gather the
people together near the rock and Moses, in a moment of frustration and slight
loss of tempter, does this: “Then Moses and Aaron
gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear
now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" And Moses
lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out
abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.” (Numbers
20:10-11). I can just see
myself beating that rock (like I tend to do with fist on the table) to prove my
point. I guess I
think that the harder I hit my fist on that table and the louder my voice
becomes…the stronger my point is. Well,
as usual, I am wrong and so was Moses.
It is because of this one lapse in judgment that Moses would not be able
to lead them into the Promise Land. It
may not be likely, but it is possible that with one lapse in our own judgment
or one slight exhibition of a lack of control of our temper, we could forfeit
all that is important to us. It is
scary; so as you continue your day, pray for God to help you keep your temper
in check.
PRAYER REQUESTS:_________________________________________________________________
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