Falling Short

6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7 The LORD said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

9 So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.               – Numbers 20:6-11

A fatal mistake.  After leaving Egypt and almost 40 years of leadership, God tells Moses that he will neither see the promise land nor bring people into it.  His life will fall short of all he had been working toward.

Why?  Moses threw off humility and elevated himself above his people and almost equal to God.  And God would not have it.  The very reason Moses was chosen was because of his humility.  Now, with a demonstrated lack of humility, God would strip it away.

The call of following God and of leadership is a call of humility.  Often overlooked, it may be one of the greatest attributes of a leader.  It may be one of the biggest temptations.  In the end we know the truth:  God is God and I am not.  I just happed to be the lead person, but I must serve with humility under a God who I can never be like.

God, forgive my pride.  Forgive my attitude.  Help me to lead from a position of humility.

[tags]humility, devotions, Numbers, Moses[/tags]

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  1. I love reading your blogs Scot. Keep up the inspiring words that you pen! God is using you to make a difference.

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