“Because you did not trust in me . . . you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” (Num. 20:12)
Expanded Passage: Numbers 20:1-12; Deuteronomy 3:23-29
Trust is the foundation of any good relationship. Trust is more than riding across Niagara Falls in a wheelbarrow while being pushed by a competent acrobat. That would seem foolish, though any participants would certainly display unusual fortitude. Watching such a feat would bring anxiety to some of us and adrenaline to others. Acts of physical bravery such as this are entertaining and represent extreme physical skillfulness, but they do not demonstrate relational trust. To be trustworthy means to make promises that are kept; it means to follow through; it means to be consistent. Trust is developed over time, not in a single heroic action.
In this passage, God chastises Moses and Aaron for their lack of trust in his holiness. Even though he had proven himself trustworthy time and time again, they questioned his perfect judgment and faithfulness. At first, it appears that God’s judgment is harsh, but he chastises Moses and Aaron for lacking faith that he would provide, and then for their behaving as if they had provided the water that would quench the Israelites’ thirst.
Difficult journeys—and we all face them—require a great deal of faith in God’s trustworthy character. He never falters. Leaders must continually remind God’s people of this reality. It brings peace and hope because it places outcomes squarely in the hands of a holy God.
Today, resolve to trust in the One who is always reliable.
Dalene Fisher is a full-time wife, mother, and grandma. She is a former associate professor of English, dean, and assistant provost at Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OK).
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
