None of us are comfortable with the thought of God's being angry with us. Yet, as hard as we try, there are times in life when we incite God's displeasure and subsequent discipline. But in today's passage of Scripture, I am particularly struck by verse 37, "The Lord was angry with me also on your account ... " The punishment handed down was severe, "you shall not go in ... " You know, it's hard enough to be cognizant of our own sins but to be responsible and corrected for others' may seem paradoxical. But the message is clear that just as Moses incurred God's wrath on account of the sins of the people for whom he was responsible to lead, we must also be held to account for those who look to us as examples of our faith. This can extend beyond family to neighbors, coworkers and our church brethren. Jesus warned of the tragic results of causing children to go astray (Matt. 18:6), and it's apparent that we must be ever-diligent of the example of our lives as Christians so that any backsliding by our family or friends be not added to our account.
Sometimes our actions speak so loudly that our voices are silenced.
Rev. Harold Hazen, Fort Wayne, Ind.
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