Pastor Bob DuPar
March 9, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3.

Observation

Moses really seemed to have a good attitude about “shared leadership” when
Joshua complained to him about Eldad and Medad (Num. 11:29). And, I don’t remember ever reading Numbers 12:3 that Moses was more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. That’s quite a statement!

Numbers 12:8 helps bring more resolution to the issue earlier of God speaking with Moses face-to-face and yet also saying that no one could look at Him and live:

“With him (Moses) I (God) speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.” The form of the Lord was clearly something short of God in His full radiance and glory.

I love it when Caleb takes a leadership stand in Num. 13:30 and silences the negativity and cowardice of the other leaders. It’s a golden moment – even though in the next verse the men go right back to their pessimistic conversation! All of us have been in situations like that. And, sometimes we are the ones who are guilty of contributing to the undercurrent.

The scene in Gethsemane where Jesus comes back three times only to find the disciples sleeping each time is one of the saddest passages in all of Scripture in my opinion. Jesus poured His life into these guys for 3 years and they can’t come through for Him in His hour of need. And then, when Jesus is arrested the text says that they deserted Him and fled (Mark 14:50). As sad as this is, I probably would have acted the same.

Finally, what a proverb: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (11:3)

Application
I want to be a person of faith who constantly focuses on God’s ability rather than the perceived impossibility of any situation. I also would like to be the one who shuts down negative talk rather than the one who contributes to it. I have a lot of room for growth in this area.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You that You are bigger than any situation and that nothing is too difficult for You. Help me to be a leader who points people to Your sufficiency & Power rather than my limited ability.”