He Lost His Patience

Notwithstanding the fact that Moses was the meekest man that lived upon the earth, on one occasion he drew the displeasure of God upon himself…. The undeserved reproaches of the people which fell upon him led him for a moment to forget that their murmuring was not against him, but against God; and instead of being grieved because the Spirit of God was insulted, he became irritated, offended, and in a self-willed, impatient manner struck the rock twice saying: “Hear now, ye rebels, must we fetch you water out of this rock?” …

Moses revealed great weakness before the people. He showed a marked lack of self-control, a spirit similar to that possessed by the murmurers. He should have been an example of forbearance and patience before that multitude, who were ready to excuse their failures, disaffections, and unreasonable murmurings, on account of this exhibition of wrong on his part. The greatest sin consisted in assuming to take the place of God. The position of honor that Moses had heretofore occupied did not lessen his guilt, but greatly magnified it. Here was a man hitherto blameless, now fallen. Many in a similar position would reason that their sin would be overlooked because of their long life of unwavering fidelity. But no; it was a more serious matter for a man who had been honored of God to show weakness of character in the exhibition of passion than if he had occupied a less responsible position. Moses was a representative of Christ, but how sadly was the figure marred! Moses had sinned, and his past fidelity could not atone for the present sin…. Moses and Aaron must die without entering Canaan, subjected to the same punishment that fell upon those in a more lowly position. They bowed in submission, though with anguish of heart that was inexpressible; but their love for and confidence in God was unshaken…. But few realize the sinfulness of sin…. The cases of Moses and Aaron … show that it is not a safe thing to sin in word or thought or deed.18Testimonies for the Church 4:369, 370.
Conflict and Courage p. 109
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Prayer Requests
—-Pray for Debbie who broke her hip and her leg. Also pray for Randy who has prostate cancer and for C who has had death in the family as well as tragedies lately Thankyou, M
—-Please pray for God’s leading in E’s life. R
—-Have a request for 2 people that have been infested with various parasites and they are coming out of their skin, nose and stools. Having trouble getting in to the medical facilities to get help. Their names are Keelie and Jerry. They are getting weak. Michael
—-My daughter’s company is having big issues only prayers can help. Please pray that God will show mercy to bring the issues to an end. anon
—-Please pray for a dear friend, Dick. He’s been ill for several months, and now they want a biopsy. However, not until. May! He needs help now. Sylvia
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Dear Friends,

Spring is such a beautiful time of year, that it is my favorite season. The flowering trees transform this drab world into a thing of beauty. Spring flowers are blooming and a multitude of tiny blue flowers are covering the ground. Birds are twittering their special mating songs.

Just as the earth’s awakening from winter’s chill tells us that spring is here and summer is on its way, so the signs foretold in God’s Holy Word helps us to know that Jesus is coming soon. Just as we can read the signs of spring all around us, so as we see the rapid fulfilling of the great prophecies of Daniel chapters 7-12 and Revelation chapters 13-18, we can know that the King of the Universe is soon to take us to His Heavenly Home as He has promised. (John 14:1-3)

Our Dear Saviour laments, “When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” Luke 12:54-56 He, Who sees the future has given us signs whereby we may know the end of all things is near. “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. . . . Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. . . . For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. . . . Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matt 24:1-33

May we, as we see these rapidly fulfilling signs prophesied in God’s Holy Word, be ” sober, and watch unto prayer” making our “calling and election sure: for if [we] do these things, [we] shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 1:10,11

Rose