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Jun 03, 2022 18:30pm

Give God the Glory

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Throughout history, people have received great credit for something, when in reality, they stole the idea.

The lightbulb, the radio, sewing machines, television, the telephone and even Facebook were all ideas that someone else received the glory for.

Can you imagine? You’ve worked so hard. Sleepless nights and long hours, all spent trying to come up with a plan, a product, a slogan, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, only to have someone step in and steal your thunder. Why would they do such a thing?

Sometimes, it’s money. But at the root of every stolen idea is pride.

Even Moses, the humble and faithful servant to the Lord struggled with this and it cost him greatly.

The people had wandered in the wilderness for 37 years. The desert was dry and the people were thirsty. So, they did what they always did best, they complained.

“And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.” (Numbers 20: 3-5)

They always go back to how “good” they had it in Egypt. Remember when they were there? Oh yeah, of course it was great for them… they were totally fine with being beaten to be made to work harder because they were slaves. They were so happy then when they had to work for the Pharaoh. It was the best time of their miserable lives.

Fed up and frustrated, Moses and Aaron go to the tabernacle and fall on their faces before God. God would know what to do.

“Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.” (Numbers 20:8-11)

So, what was the big deal?

Let’s look at the passage again. The Lord told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come forth. God would be glorified for providing for His children and the people would give thanks unto God. They would know He provides for them in their desperation.

But notice what Moses did. Instead of just speaking as God instructed, Moses struck the rock twice for the water to come forth. Never did the children of Israel see that God had provided, only that Moses had.

In his frustration with the people, Moses disobeyed the Lord and took God’s glory for himself.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”

Moses and Aaron would not be allowed to enter the promised land for their disobedience. These men were the leaders of the people. God couldn’t just say, “oh it’s no big deal”. He had to hold them to a higher standard as leaders. The people looked to Moses and Aaron, but they missed a huge opportunity to give credit to the Lord and to obey His command.

How often do we do something similar? Just last night in our bible study, we talked about our own testimony, what God has done in our lives, and how we share that. Is it filled with a lot of “I” or “me”? Or is the focus on the Lord?

It is only because of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed! It is only because of His grace that we have redemption. His blood covered our sins to bring about righteousness. It isn’t about our works, it’s about His grace!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If it were about works, I could boast, I could brag that I had something to do with my salvation. But it’s not. It’s only the work of Jesus Christ.

Do you believe that? Give God the Glory He so deserves!