Falling on Your Face

​“When Moses heard this, he fell on his face;” Numbers 16:1-4

Leadership is challenging and can bring both rewarding and difficult experiences. Difficulties arise when opposition occurs and especially when it occurs frequently. Throughout Exodus and Numbers, Moses and Aaron dealt with constant rebellion from the Israelites who rebelled against the Lord and opposed their leadership.

In Numbers 16, we read that Moses once again was faced with an uproar among the Israelites. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation in rebellion against Moses’ leadership. Moses immediately fell on his face after hearing the accusation from his opposers. The uproar that was caused could have escalated into something far greater, had Moses’ response been different. Moses sought the Lord because he knew the Lord’s wisdom and guidance was supreme and he was yet again facing a great crowd of people who were against what the Lord had chosen. The opposing leaders wanted what they wanted, not what God wanted. Because of this, Moses needed the Lord’s help. Moses’ action to fall on his face demonstrated his humility and his submission to the Lord. After falling on his face, he spoke with boldness and strength to do the Lord’s will. He knew that he was called to lead the congregation to live in holiness, and that the Lord had established order that he was chosen to carry out. After falling on his face, he was confident that the Lord would remain true to His word.

​Are you experiencing great difficulty? When you are faced with anger, hostility, retaliation, and opposition, do you fall on your face before the Lord? Do you seek the supreme wisdom, guidance, and direction from our omniscient God? Opposition and difficulty will come, especially if you are leading others.

​You may be in leadership at your church, your vocation, or while managing your home, like Moses, fall on your face before the Lord for His help. Falling on your face demonstrates total surrender to the Lord and it demonstrates to your opposers that you know and trust the One who is in complete control and the One who will work all things according to His will and His will alone.