Sunday 24 January 2010

The forgiveness test

So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "Please heal her, O God, I pray!" – Numbers 12v13

God’s judgement on Aaron and Miriam was quick. For some reason, maybe because she was rhe older sister, the judgement came on Miriam. God departed and Miriam was struck with leprosy.

At least the two of them did not argue with God or try to finagle a way out. They immediately confessed their sin. They admitted they foolishness and asked for forgiveness.

We see the mark of Moses’ in his response. Immediately he prayed and asked God to take away the leprosy. God answered the prayer, but only after she lived with consequences of the sin for seven days.

I am impresses here by Moses Christ-like spirit. He could have borne a grudge. He could have had an attitude. He could have made them miserable. After all, their sin was not only against God but against him personally!

But none of that mattered – ‘Lord, I beg you, heal her.’

What a wonderful spirit. It reminds me of Christ on the cross, Stephen in the pit, and Paul’s closing word to Timothy. It is a spirit that should manifest itself in our lives.

One of the toughest tests we face is the forgiveness test. How well do we do?

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