How to Glorify God under Pressure

 Read Numbers 20. 

We have seen this before.  Whenever there is an overwhelming need, the people complain against and blame their leaders.  Further, they wish voice that either they had stayed in slavery in Egypt or died already.  Despite all that God has done to end it, the grumbling continued. 

Emotions and perceptions can trump reality and truth. 

Fear causes us to panic that our needs will not be met.  It is so easy to blame others for what, in fact, God is doing.  In this case, God wanted to demonstrate His great power and meet their needs.  But because the LORD did not supply as they wanted and on their timetable, they felt totally justified in their rebellion. 

God had a miraculous plan to meet their needs; one they would never forget.  Three steps to the instructions: a) take the staff; b) assemble the people; c) tell the rock to yield its water.  Moses obeyed the first two and utterly disobeyed the last part.  He failed to discipline his anger.  This resulted in Moses never entering the promised land. 

Paul told Pastor Timothy that "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness" (2 Timothy 2:24-25a).  That is tough to do when facing angry people.  Moses lost it because he took the complaining personally.  Note his words in 20:10b-"Hear now you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?"  By announcing that "we" (Moses and Aaron) would supply water and by striking the rock hard twice, he gave appearance to the people that his power could do this.  He failed to glorify God and direct full attention to Him. 

The LORD is concerned about not only what is done but also how it is done. 

When others see the difference Christ makes in the way we handle a pressure situation, God can use it to draw attention to Himself.  So, how can we glorify God when the pressure is on? 

1. Know exactly what God wants done.

2. Ask to be filled with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-24).

3. Obey wholeheartedly. 

Jesus is the Rock of Ages.  When a person speaks to that Rock, He gives Living Water that springs up into everlasting life.  (John 4:10-14)