David Bahn – Reflections

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Numbers 10-12, Psalm 69.

Numbers 12:1-8

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. ² And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. ³ Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. ⁴ And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. ⁵ And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. ⁶ And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. ⁷ Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. ⁸ With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

I wish I could say I cannot identify with Moses as he is criticized by Miriam and Aaron. But I do know what it is to be criticized. Whether justly or not, criticism stings. It can distract from the important work to which we are called. It can make a leader timid and hesitant. I remember a time decades ago when criticism left me nearly in tears, wondering what I could do to please the people of the congregation I was serving.

But criticism does more than unsettle a leader. When people undermine a legitimate leader — one whom God has called and placed in a position of service — God’s work can suffer. God’s people become discouraged, and the mission can stall.

In forty-five years of ministry, there have been only a few times when I have faced criticism. Those moments are memorable, but they do not define me. Nor does criticism prove very much, except that it can strengthen God’s servant and deepen his resolve to follow God’s ways.

In Moses’ case, God spoke to him face to face — not through dreams or visions, but directly. Their relationship was unique. I have never experienced that kind of unmistakable clarity, but I have known the conviction of God’s call and purpose. Like many who serve the Lord, I have had to stay the course in the face of challenge and criticism.

Such is often the life of those who lead God’s people. Too often the people themselves are tempted to complain and long to return to Egypt — remembering the cucumbers, leeks, onions, and meat they once had. Never mind that they were slaves. Never mind the tears they shed in their suffering.

We can fall prey to the same temptation. Let’s go back to the old ways. Let’s do things the way we used to. But God calls his people forward. His purpose is that we proclaim his glory and follow the leadership of those who seek to speak his word and carry out his mission.

These days I find myself more often in the place of following than leading. And I gladly honor my pastor and the leaders God has placed around me. I will follow as they lead us in God’s mission to make disciples and proclaim his grace.

Will you join me in following as we follow the One who leads us all?