"Why then were you not afraid …?" — Numbers 12:8
In almost every case, when the Lord speaks to us about fear, He says, "Do not be afraid." But here, we have a different story. The Lord was so angry with his servants for speaking against their leader that He temporarily struck Miriam with leprosy.
"Why were you not afraid?" It almost seems that God is incredulous.
When I was a little boy I loved collecting insects in jars with nail holes in the lids. One day I decided to create the mother of all insect collections. I had a huge glass jar. With a small glass jar I collected everything … grasshoppers, beetles, flies, spiders, bees … you name it. Then I transferred each acquisition to my insect zoo in the big glass jar.
Once I had something of everything I could find, I decided it would be a neat idea to take my huge jar and climb to the top of my grandfather’s John Deere tractor.
"That’s not a good idea," an adult voice warned.
I kept on climbing.
"You’re liable to drop your jar; it will break and you’ll lose everything."
I didn’t believe it and I didn’t heed the warning. So the adults let me climb. I got to the top with a feeling of exultation. I set my jar down and then I noticed something. The top of the tractor wasn’t level. The jar started to slide. I reached for it, but I was too late.
Broken glass, free bugs and lots of little boy tears.
Painful lessons — for Miriam and for me.
But painful lessons are also an opportunity for God. Sometimes a lesson learned in a moment of pain prevents a lifetime of suffering. Remember the illustration of the semi truck? When we are outside and are startled by the blast of the horn, it helps us remember how safe and comfortable it is inside the cab.
Even in painful lessons, God cannot help but to love, for that is Who He is.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.