Be Faithful When It's Difficult

Moses has always intrigued me, because this great leader went through so much in his life. He was never permitted during his lifetime to enter the promised land.  He lived a holy life to the Lord while being surrounded by people who were constantly grumbling against him and the Lord.  The people were so rebellious, that only two who left Egypt from about a million were able to enter the promised land.

When Moses went to get the ten commandments the first time, God delivered them personally to him on the mountain. Exodus 31:18 - "When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God." When Moses came down he smashed the tablets of stone, because the people were participating in idolatry.  The people that God freed from Egypt were constantly complaining and rebelling. God was so angry with the people, He wanted to wipe them out and start over again with Moses. Moses pleaded with God for the people and the Lord relented. Now, notice how the second stone tablets were acquired.  Deuteronomy 10:1 - "At that time the Lord said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones and come up to me on the mountain. Also make a wooden ark."  

Did you see it?  Moses had to carve the tablets out and bring them up the mountain.  It was not hand delivered like the first time. And this time Moses has to go up with the stone tablets. Moses is over 80 years of age.  Why would God require this of Moses?  I believe there are many hard things we are required to do.  I believe God tests us at times to see if we will be faithful.  We are all facing hard situations whether financially, emotionally, in our relationship with others,or in the foggy direction/decisions of our lives.  Are you going to follow the Lord during this difficulty?  Are you going to love the unlovable?  Are you going to go the extra mile, when it's incredibly difficult?  Are you going to keep fervently serving the Lord when you see no way out?  Moses did!  Let's learn from Moses.