Compassion of God
Deuteronomy 34:5, “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor ; but no man knows his burial place to this day.”
Moses had disobeyed God at the rocks of Meribah; in his anger he had struck the rocks to make the water that God provided flow insted of speaking to the rocks as God had commanded, and for this reason he was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. This may seem to be a small infraction, and to be honest for years this story bothered me. Come on he hit a rock, BIG DEAL! But, it is a BIG DEAL to God. Moses did not follow the command of God; thereby he sinned against, and could have set an example to others that it was not necessary to follow the Lord’s commands. When God gives us a command, He expects us to follow it to the letter; if we choose not to there will repreccusions. I’m not talking about Legalism(perfectly following the Law) because if we are afraid of every little infraction we make then we become paralyzed by that fear, and we are of no use to God.
This is where the mercy of God comes into play. God sees our infrations, and there are consequences, but the mercy of God sees beyond our disobedience. The Bible tells us that even though Moses died before entering the Promised Land that God buried him in the valley of Moab.What a powerful testimony that is! God loved Moses so much that He buried him; nobody came to Moses funeral besides God!
This story reminds me of how much God loves each individual who strives to follow His commands! It also brings to mind two stories about Jesus. When heard of the death of Lazarus the Bible says, John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” Jesus was so moved and filled with compassion that He cried because His friend had died. The week before Jesus was crucified He came to Jerusalem sharing the good news of God. At the end of those days He cried for Jerusalem saying, Matthew 23:37,”Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling .38″Behold, your house is being left to you desolate.”
God desperately cares for His children, and is moved with compassion even when we disobey Him!
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Father God, I thank You for the love that You have for me, and I ask that You help me to show Your love to those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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I believe, and the Bible teaches(Matthew 17) that even though Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land of Caanan; he did enter into the Promised Land that we await; and is eternally in the presence of God!
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Yes, You Can Ministry 