What Difference Does It Make?

 

here are two events in the Bible that teach this important truth. The first in in Judges 7 :1-7
The Lord had called Gideon to lead the children of Israel in battle against the Midianites. They were on the north hill against Israel, about 4 miles away. There were 32,000 men for Israel. The Lord told Gideon that this was too many people to take into battle, for they would be lifted up in pride that THEY had defeated the enemy because of their great number. He told Gideon to proclaim to the people that all of the fearful needed to go home. When he did so, 22,000 people left! The Lord said there was still too many people, so there was to be a test among the 10,000 left. They were told by Gideon to go down to the water to get a drink of it. The soldiers UNKNOWINGLY went down to perform this test. The Lord said to separate the ones that drank out of their hands, scooping the water up to their mouths and lapping it like a dog does, to one side. Everyone else that bowed down to the water was separated to the other side, vs 5&6. The Lord had chosen the men that cupped the water to their mouth to fight the battle, which ended up being 300. These were the Lord's chosen soldiers. What difference did it make as to who drank one way, and who drank another? This simple act was a test to prove how each man handles himself as a soldier, and to show what was really in their heart, as far as service goes.Even though the enemy was four miles away, the men that bowed down to drink of the water couldn't see what was going on around him. He would have been taking his eyes off of the enemy, opening the door for vuneralbility, and comprising the safety of himself and those around him! Since they couldn't see the enemy, how would they know if the Midianites weren't lurking around the corner unawares? "Be sober, be VIGILANT;because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom RESIST STEDFAST IN THE FAITH,.." I Peter 5:8 &9a. With their heads down, focusing on only fulfilling THEIR NEED, they were in jeopardy, even within that split second. The enemy COULD HAVE ATTACKED and they would have never seen it coming. The men that cupped the water, on the other hand, were being vigilant. They were getting the necessities done quickly, still having THEIR NEED MET, never loosing sight of where the enemy was and what was going on with the other soldiers around him. They were also able to see Gideon, should he give the command to attack, or give new orders. We need to ALWAYS keep our eyes on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:2) so that we can see what He wants us to do, when He wants us to. These men knew the task at hand, and were purposed to do it. Just as Barnabas told the Christians at Antioch, we should "with PURPOSE OF HEART....cleave unto the Lord." Acts 11:23. The Lord knows what is in each of our hearts, (I Sam.16:7) and knows what we will do when put to the test. "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." II Corinth. 10:18. Although none of the soldiers were commiting a sin, or doing something wrong, it shows we can do something right, but in a wrong way. We are to look on the needs of fellow Christians to help when the need arises, Galatians 6:2. If we are so consumed with our needs and doing our own thing, what good are we in the battle? It makes a DIFFERENCE in our service if we are doing it for the Lord, PURPOSELY AND VIGILANTLY if we want to be used for Him.

The second event was when Moses smote the rock in the wilderness to give the children of Israel water instead of SPEAKING to it. Exodus 17:6 says the Lord told Moses to smite the rock at Horeb the first time He gave them water. This was a type of Jesus, the Rock or chief Cornerstone, being smitten on the cross, thus providing eternal life for us, like the physical water would keep the Israelites alive. A second time the people needed water at Meribah, meaning strife, and once again, the people strove with Moses saying they were going to die, Numbers 20:2-13. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in prayer, and the Lord told Moses to gather the assembly, and SPEAK TO THE ROCK, "and it shall five forth his water.." vs. 8. When Moses gathered them, he took the rod, and called the people "rebels", and asked "must we fetch you water out of this rock?" vs. 10. He then SMOTE the rock again, instead of SPEAKING to it as he was commanded. The water still came out of the rock! Moses blatantly disobeyed, but God still blessed and gave the people water! "If we believe not, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL; He CANNOT deny Himself." II Timothy 2:13. Even though Moses didn't believe what the Lord told him (vs.12),the Lord still gave the people water, in spite of Moses sin, because He had promised to provide their needs. The Lord told Moses to SPEAK to the rock, which was a picture of how Jesus only had to die once to take away our sins, but we can now pray to Him to meet our needs. Hebrews 7:27 states that it was only necessary for Jesus to offer Himself ONCE. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us "to come boldly unto the throne of grace." When Moses smote the rock instead of speaking to it, he was in essence saying that the first time was not sufficient, and showed his lack of faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God MUST BELIEVE that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. Faith and belief in God's word affected Moses' actions, and thus effected his blessing. Because he didn't obey God's command, his blessing of entering the Promised Land was taken away! (Numbers 20:12).I cannot imagine, after working for over 40 for the Lord on the task He had given, and then not being able to finish it! Moses would die and the Lord buried him, after the Lord let him SEE the Promised Land, Deut. 34:1-7. What difference did smiting or speaking make? It was a matter of his life, or death!

What difference does it make? EVERYTHING MAKES A DIFFERENCE! How it is done, why it is done, and to whom it is done makes a difference! Our service to others, the Lord, our blessings, and even our life depends upon it! May the Lord help us today to PURPOSE in our hearts to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, and have faith in Him in EVERYTHING WE DO!