Title: Harsh Reality / Topic: Expectations For Leaders

Today’s Reading: Numbers 19; Numbers 20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture: Numbers 20:7-12
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.
12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."

Observation: The Israelites have no water in the desert and they are once again complaining. Moses and Aaron go to God and He tells them what to do (verse 8). But something goes haywire. After gathering the people, Moses lets his anger and frustration control him and, whether out of some planned theatrics or just simple rage, he strikes the rock twice. God told him to speak to the rock but Moses struck it instead. As a result, judgment comes against both Moses and Aaron. Neither will be allowed to make the final leg of their journey into the promised land. It's sad.

Application: The application is that leaders have a high standard to which they are held. Evidently, when God lays out His expectations, He expects those in leadership to follow them carefully and precisely. Any deviation from that can result in a rejection by God. It seems harsh to me. But it is the harsh reality.

Bottom Line: Be careful how you live and lead if you are a leader. God has a higher expectation for those of us who lead.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my life and leadership pure and true. I want to please You and do the best job possible. I choose to live and lead this way.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.