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The great and merciful God will not always strive with the heart of people. A person may disobey God to the point that His anger is kindled. His righteous indignation may be mirrored in the indignant response of Moses to the ungrateful behavior of the children of Israel while Moses received God's commandments.
Was Moses justified in his anger? God let Moses know that even if they are wrong, you are my representative. You cannot show them my character when you are clouded by your own emotion. But God was angry. Yes. Had God instructed Moses to pronounce a curse, there would be no cause for repentance. However, this was not the case. God did not command Moses to condemn the people, though he found them in idol worship when he returned from communing with God at the burning bush. Although Moses' words were true, he was called to keep the peace. He instead allowed his anger to overcome his better judgment.
Though God did not desire Moses to perform wrath, God himself made plain His own discontent. Sometimes, you may be right about a situation. Someone else may be wrong - or vice versa. Regardless of who is worthy of the blame, remember that Jesus redeemed all when none was worthy of forgiveness. You can be a person after God's own heart (Acts 13:22) if you are willing to receive the mind of repentance. If you have lost your temper, apologize.
Do not let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26). You do not know the day or the hour when your soul will be required. If you have been calm and collected, do not glory in your temperance. Even if you are not the one who is enraged, vengeance belongs to God. It is necessary to be mindful of God's power. He is able to prick even the calloused heart. If you seek revenge of your own strength, you do not know whether you are chasing the horse of a redeemed soul. What if the other person has already forgiven and forgotten the whole situation? How much greater would be your recompense by God, if you punished the one who has already come to Him for repentance?
It is better to forgive knowing that you will not be forgiven unless you do so (Matthew 6:12). God requires your obedience, not your indifference. Forgiveness does not mean that your short-term memory will be erased suddenly. Though each time you show mercy, you will empower your healing from emotional hurt. Although Moses was not allowed to dwell in the promised land after beholding it with his eyes, he was yet the one whom God gave of His spirit, to bless the people. Was it a dismissal of the fact that Moses had erred? No. God loved Moses. Moses' service to God was a testimony before Him. Like a true father, God recalled the good. The good outweighed the bad.
Yes Moses missed the promised land. He did not miss eternal life. Though it remains to be seen how long after his 120 years that Moses may have lived had he not lost his temper.
God calls the strong in Him to restore the lost from His sheepfold. If we are truly working to this end, we will seek deliverance for those who know not to or cannot seek deliverance for themselves. This is the church that God envisions. It is the “hospital” of souls. A doctor of medicine alone cannot heal the soul; but God is a doctor of body and soul.
II THESSALONIANS 3:1-5
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
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