I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. Deuteronomy 3:25-27 KJV
There is a consequence for sin even among the greatest of God’s servants. In Numbers 20 we read how Moses in a moment of anger misrepresented God before the people by striking the rock twice. As punishment God said that Moses would not be allowed to enter the land of promise. Here we see the painful side of that sin. Moses pleaded repeatedly with the Lord for the opportunity to step foot in the land, but his request was denied. Instead the Lord told him not to speak about it again. Even when we have done great things it does not give us the right, as some seem to think, to get away with sin. Let us never forget that sin, especially public sin, removes opportunities from God’s people.
Lord, how painful it must have been for Moses after years of faithful service to miss the one thing he longed to enjoy. As Paul prayed (1 Corinthians 9:27), help me to keep my actions and emotions disciplined that after years of service I might not become a castaway.
