Relaxed and Ready
- He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
Each day around 5:00 p.m., I sit in my family room and read the Bible. The hub of each day’s activities is church work whether administrative or sermon preparation which means this time of Bible reading is meant for relaxation rather than concentrated thought-provoking study for sermons. Since I read sequentially and chronologically, when possible, I find myself pleased and smiling whenever I happen across one of the familiar stories I have read hundreds of times. These quiet minutes also allow sufficient time to settle my stomach as assuredly I have just eaten a horrible meal. I am not so much concerned about this as for months the doctor has supplied me with a prescription to kill the effects of my cooking.
I wrote this bulletin article earlier in the day before the demons showed up after contemplating the need to produce an article that is better than my culinary skills. I remembered weeks earlier I was reading in Deuteronomy, one of my favorite Old Testament books. I landed on chapter 32 which is the song of Moses after Joshua assumed command to take Israel into the Promised Land. I do not mean what I say now to be an exposition of the song—I only want to comment on this one verse. It is a verse of praise for the God who always does all things well. I have always wondered what Moses felt deep inside when after forty years of wilderness wanderings, God reminded him of his accountability for striking the rock a second time at Meribah. This act of disobedience was significant enough that it overshadowed Moses’ impressive career and kept him from the final triumph of accomplishment he dedicated his life to.
Notice the first phrase of verse 4: “He is the Rock…” Moses had not forgotten his sin and this recollection tells us when he struck the rock his disobedience was as striking God. God’s judgment for the act was perfect judgment. There was no room for argument and no just cause for pleading. Moses took the punishment knowing he would never enter the place for which he endured every personal injustice at the hands of ungrateful Israel. None of them were as faithful as he, yet they entered as if they were fully deserving. There are pitifully few of us who do not think we rightfully merit every reward of our meager service. To stop and think about Moses standing on Mt. Nebo longing to go where he could not go, should strike our hearts with the deepest humility.
My thoughts in the late afternoon while reading for relaxation always bring me to a prayer of quiet solitude telling God He is more gracious than I can express. How can I thank Him enough for saving me at an early age, young enough that I do not remember what life was like not knowing Christ? Surely, my Mt. Nebo is nearer than I know. If so, I do not have any wilderness experiences to lament although I am certain my record does not show faithfulness equal to Moses. He is, after all, Hebrews 11 material. I am thankful none of those experiences God remembers against me. The Christ I have always known sits with me every afternoon comforting me through bitter food and blessing me with a thousand precious memories.
Pastor V. Mark Smith