Guest Blog written by: Jessica Brown

consequences.
something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of
conditions.

we’ve all esablished them.
been reminded of them.
reminded others of them.
done our best to teach our kids about them.

it isn’t easy to suffer the consequences of our sin.
our outbursts of anger.
our puffed up pride.
our inflated egos.
our wandering hearts.
our ignoring ears.
our blinded eyes.
our loose lips.

do you ever get so entrenched in a story that you begin to imagine what the
character must be feeling or thinking?
do you find yourself crying at the heartache?
do you ever get a little whoop-whoop when the character triumphs over evil?

yeah, me too.

yesterday, we read how moses hit the rock twice after God had clearly told
him to speak to the rock and water would flow.
moses unleashed his frustrations and pent up anger on the rock in front of
all the israelites.
and God dealt with moses accordingly.
for He told moses that he would not be allowed to enter into the promised
land.

can you imagine for a moment how moses must have felt when given the
consequence for his action?

after a long journey of many twists and turns and heartachingly long years.
moses would die before entering into the promised land.
and yet, he was still expected to lead the people on the journey forward.
until the appointed time.

imagine the anguish.
the waiting.
the wondering.
the questioning.
the doubting.

i imagine i would replay that moment over and over and over again.
wishing i could do it different.
praying i wouldn’t have to suffer the consequences.
yet knowing i would, indeed, suffer.

many months passed.
and then…

“one day the Lord said to moses, “climb one of the mountains east of the
river, and look out over the land I have given the people of israel. after
you have seen it, you will die like your brother, aaron, for you both
rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of zin. when the people
of israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the
waters.” numbers 27:12-14

sit with that for minute.

God has taken you to the mountaintop to see the very place that you are
denied entrance.
to remind you of your sin.
and the consequence of your disobedience.

did God do this to make moses feel bad?
all over again?
to taunt him with the prize he would never see?
to rip the scab off the wound?

just the opposite.
God wanted to prepare moses heart for the end of his journey.
to give moses time to prepare the people.
and moses interceded for the people.
like he always did.

he asked the Lord to raise up another leader.
to guide them.
and lead them.
so they would not be like sheep without a shepherd.

i found myself crying over this encounter this morning.

how often do i see my consequences and ask for God to use it as a blessing
for others?
do i humbly accept the outcome of my actions?
and trust that God will work it for His glory?

may we humble ourselves to the consequences of our sin and use the
opportunity to grow and mature in our walk with Christ. may we know that
He is good in the midst of trouble and trust His love for us does not
waiver. like any good Father, He corrects and teaches and guides us in a
way of obedience. for He alone knows what is best for us.

Jessica G. Brown, Coordinator
Occupational Health Services
McLeod Health
Office: 843-777-5736
Cell: 843-687-2663

http://www.mcleodoccupationalhealth.org
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