UNCOMMEN: On The Waiting ListParaugs

You Aren't Entitled

As we continue our series, we pick up our journey through the Bible about waiting with Moses. We will be focusing on Numbers 20, but I highly recommend reading through the whole story of Moses to get a full understanding of his life. To say that he has lived an exciting life would be an understatement. However, in this study, we will be touching on a specific story in his life. In this portion of Moses life, he is leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses is dealing with the Israelites complaining about not having enough water, a genuine threat in the desert; however, God has provided for them every step of the way.

After they came to Moses for help, God tells him to speak to a rock which will cause water to come forth from it. Now you would think with Moses' track record, he would be pretty good about trusting God's commands, right? I mean he spoke out against Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt. But even Moses' patience had run thin, and instead of merely speaking to the rock, he struck it twice. While water still poured from the rock, there were consequences to his actions.

Could you imagine the disappointment and anger Moses must have felt? He had followed God's commands, put himself and his family in danger, and lead the Israelites to a place that he would never step foot in! But I think this is an excellent reminder to us. God's commands matter and we don't always get what we want, especially when we disobey Him.

In the case, I will use the example of a girlfriend. Just because you are waiting for a woman to come along, go to all the church services, and do all the Bible studies doesn't mean you are entitled to a soul mate. While all those things are great things to do, and I would highly encourage you to keep doing them, there is no checklist to fill out that gets you a girlfriend. It might not even be in God's plan for you, much like it wasn't in Moses' case to enter the land. God's plan rules over your plans, and thank God for that!

Questions:

1. Are you going to church, reading the Bible, or being a "good" person for the wrong reasons?

2. Have you been angry with God about not giving you a girlfriend or something else you think you "deserve"? 

Challenge: 

Write down a list of areas of your life that you could give over to God to glorify Himself without any condition attached to it. Be humble and offer it all. Remind yourself that you aren't entitled to anything.

Scripture Verse:
Numbers 20:1-13