GOD SPEAKS
Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
“And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels: must we fetch you water out of this rock? Numbers 20:10”
Whatever may be the surroundings besieging you; never let your mouth speak words without self-control. It applies to all His people. Whoever you may be! Whatever great things you did by the name of the Lord!
They spoke- ye rebels. Were they permitted to speak so? Remember your mouth is given not to insult others. Nor it is given to you speak whatever you want or to judge others! God warns his people to be careful to choose every single word. It is because you need to give an account of every single vain word. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36”. Also, read- “But I say unto you, That whosever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire Matthew 5:22”. You may see that the Lord told them- “you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them Numbers 20:12”. In other words, it meant that they would not enter the Promised Land. Why this happened? Main reason was their words.
Also, remember God does not like those who exalt themselves. See yourself that words are not of haughtiness. God is not a respecter of persons. All are equal before Him. There is a probability even so called chosen people may also speak words which provokes the anger of the Lord. This may be because of losing their self control when they are besieged by difficult situations. But our God is not a respecter of persons. In Him there is no partiality. In the above verse, you may see they spoke- must we fetch you water out of this rock? Is it their strength that brings water out of the Rock? Do the miracles happen in the hand of a mortal man? No, man is only a medium through which God performs his will. We are empty vessels and fit for nothing. It is the Lord who needs to be glorified always. We need to learn humbling ourselves before the Lord and His people. Read this- “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are un-profitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:10”.
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord: neither be weary of his correction. Proverbs 3:11
It is not possible for despisers to enter the Lord’s Kingdom. How will you say that you love Him and despise His authority? How do you enter His kingdom and do not love Him? You know the first commandment is to love Him above all things of this world. Despisers neither can obey the authority nor love the person having authority! He that despises the Lord must know that Jesus has the all the power and authority in heaven and in earth. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Matthew 28:19”. He that obeys His authority loves the Lord too and makes himself eligible to enter His kingdom.
The chastisement of the Lord brings holiness in us. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Hebrews 12:10. The punishment of the Lord will bring transform you into His likeness. You will appreciate that God has a right cause to punish you and his purpose is only to remove the evil manners of you. “And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. Numbers 12:15”. Miriam was a prophetess. She together with her Brother Aaron spoke against Moses. God heard it and his anger stirred up against them. In this context, the Lord punished Miriam. The time length of the punishment was for a few days i.e., only seven days but she might have a learned a lesson that how carefully she must select to speak every single word. For this purpose, it is apt to read– For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Psalms 30:5. Could not God leave her unpunished? No, God is not the respecter of persons. His purpose was only to see the holiness in her whom the Lord had chosen as His prophetess. He desires every one of us holy as He is holy.
Correction softens your heart which is getting hardened. Correction is a word of warning from the Lord. He opens your ears and gives you instruction that you may keep your soul from the pit. Read this verse- In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleeps falleth upon men, in slumbering upon bed; then openeth the ears of men, and sealeth instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. Job 33: 15-17. If you are still inattentive to this voice, you may find no remedy later on. The king Solomon did not pay attention to the correction of the Lord though the Lord himself came and warned Solomon twice that he should not go after the other gods. But he did not. You may see how he lost the presence of the Lord and a part of his kingdom. (Read 1 Kings 11: 9-11). He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1. Therefore, understand how precious the correction of the Lord and never be weary of his correction.