It was just a staff, a gnarled piece of wood rubbed smooth by months of use. It was just a staff, but the old stick became a symbol of power that Moses defiantly swung when he came to the fork in the road. You have come to the fork haven't you? It is that moment of decision when you must choose one of two paths: God's way or your way.
Moses arrived at several forks during his wilderness wanderings. Initially he followed God's path, even when doing so seemed to be a turnpike to trouble. There was the day God’s way took him to the shores of the Red Sea and the confrontation with Pharaoh’s army. God said, “Raise your staff and the water will part.” Moses obeyed. When the nation needed water, God said, “Strike the rock with your staff.” Moses obeyed and water flowed. Later, with water again in short supply and the nation threatening mutiny God said, “Take the staff, but just speak to the rock and it will yield its water.” Once again Moses stood at the fork in the road.
"And the LORD said to Moses, 'You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, command the rock over there to pour out its water. You will get enough water from the rock to satisfy all the people and their livestock.' So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the LORD. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. 'Listen, you rebels!' he shouted. 'Must we bring you water from this rock?' Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out....But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!'" (Numbers 20:7-12 NLT)
God said, "Speak to the rock," but Moses struck the rock. God said, "Let people see my glory," but Moses stole the glory. God said, "Follow the path on the right," but Moses took the path to the left.
Going God's way at the fork in the road seems simple enough, but it can be tough. Take the money path for instance. The road forks when it comes to tithing. Am I going to give God my first fruits or hand him my leftovers? Or how about settling disputes? When a relationship breaks down, am I going to resolve the matter face-to-face, or take the path of gossip and blame? Here's another one, how about service? The road of life always forks here. Will I serve others or serve myself?
Today you will to come to a fork in the road and you will have to make a decision: God's way or your way! You may come to the fork while at work, surfing the Internet, or deciding whether to love that hard-to-love person. When you arrive take a tip from Moses, the experienced traveler: God's way is always the right path.
MY PRAYER: Lord, please give me eyes to see the fork in the road today. Help me to walk the path of obedience because your way is always the right way.
Copyright © 2010 Tommy Kiedis