Read: Numbers 11-13
Focus Verse: “Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. He asked the LORD, ‘Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors?” (Numbers 11:10-12).
Devotion: Moses gets Burnt Out! He also gets a bit snarky with God… “They keep wailing to me…” “I cannot carry all these people…” “I didn’t birth them…” When we don’t let otters in to help, when we try to carry it all on our own, we break. Let that sink in. Moses finds out first hand. “…Go ahead and kill me” (11:15b). Moses has burnt out to the point that he’s giving up on his call. Moses says he can’t do it all on his own and he’s so stressed and so burnt out that he asks God to end his misery by killing him. Without others help, WE BREAK! God helps Moses find 70 others to let in to assist (11:16)! All this starts over the people asking for some meat to eat. God doesn’t immediately answer Moses’ prayer to help feed the people. First he tells Moses find suitable help, then he answers the peoples request. God made sure to get to the root of Moses’ trouble before granting his petition for food, he helped him figure out how to share the burden. The main point today is: When we don’t allow or invite others to help, WE BREAK!
Pray: LORD, like Moses, help me see who to reach out to, help me find others who I can let in to help. Bless me with community so I don’t break/burn out! Amen!
Additional Scripture: “The joy of the LORD is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)