“The people of Israel came into the wilderness of Zin… And Miriam died there…
“Now there was no water for the congregation. They assembled themselves together against Moses. The people quarreled, ‘Would that we had perished..! Why have you made us come up out of Egypt?..’ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Take the staff,.. and tell the rock to yield its water…
“Then Moses… said to them, ‘Hear, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?’ And Moses struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly… And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’
“Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom: ‘Please let us pass through your land.’ But Edom said, ‘You shall not pass through…’ and came out against them with a large army and a strong force… so Israel turned away.
“And they… came to Mount Hor. The Lord said.., ‘Let Aaron be gathered to his people… Strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron shall be gathered to his people and shall die.’ Moses did as the Lord commanded… And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. And… all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days.” Numbers 20:1-3,6-8,10-12,14,17-18,20,22-23,26-29
The wilderness. Death of his sister, incessant quarreling and accusation from the nation he led, an agonizingly harsh consequence for justified anger, unjust refusal of passage, and death of his brother and spokesperson. Long weeping. Blow upon blow brought Moses to the end of himself. A man of weakness whom God was making strong, he was molded through much pain, setback, aggravation, and harsh discipline. God intended that every prop or sign of human success would be replaced by an exquisite friendship and unshakable faith. He would become the man who endured as seeing him who is invisible, who knew that he knew that God was for him and could absolutely be trusted. (Psalm 56:8-11; Hebrews 11:27; 12:5-11)
We have all been familiar with harsh seasons of life, wildernesses of soul. Whether having made it through, presently enduring, or being prepared for a future drought or storm, we all meet with times where there seems no end to trouble. Pocked with loss and grief, discord and unfairness, accusations, weariness, and consequences that seem too harsh for the crime, we can reach a point of desperation. It is there that the Lord can be to us most near, and real. When all human props are removed, friends are absent, hope is dim, the Lord is large and strong. (Psalm 27:10; 30:5; Jeremiah 31:20; 1 Peter 5:10)
Are there present disappointments or losses that sting deep, even devastate? In what self-made props have we been trusting to give support, identity, or purpose? How might these reveal inordinate confidence or misdirected dependence? Will we ask God for faith to see seasons of drought as times for determination to look to His promises and take hold of His unseen? How has He proved Himself our sole Support? How would we like Him to reorder and establish our faith anew?
Lord, fulfill Your purposes for me as I take refuge in You alone and make melody to Your praise. (Psalm 57:1-3,7)
As the rain and snow 