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 Moses would not be allowed to enter the land of promise. In response, here is a prayer of Moses, the only one I know of that was answered in the negative by God, which illustrates the painful side of his sin. Moses had pleaded repeatedly with the Lord for the opportunity to just step foot in the land. Instead of granting his request the Lord told him not to speak about it again. There are some prayers the Lord will not answer. Even when we have done great things it does not give us the right, as some seem to think, to escape the consequence of sin. Let us never forget that. Sin, especially public sin, removes opportunities from God’s people, even Moses.
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 keep my actions and emotions disciplined that after years of service I might not be a castaway.
