“The people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and [his] fire burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down…
“Now the rabble among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel wept again, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at…’
“Moses heard the people weeping… And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses… said to the Lord, ‘Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, “Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,” to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, “Give us meat, that we may eat.” I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me…’
“The Lord said, ‘Gather for me seventy men of… Israel,.. elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting… I will come down and… take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.'” Numbers 11:1-2,4-6,10-14,16-17
Moses, man of God, was a real man with real burdens. His biblical portrait is honest, rich with hues of doubt and weakness, frustration and passion. The Lord developed this leader through impossibilities that laid bare his soul and forced intimate spiritual dependence. As God commanded and assigned, so would He lead and undertake. He was His friend Moses’s constant companion and burden-bearer. (Exodus 3:10-15; 4:10-13; Exodus 18:13-27; 33:11-15; Numbers 12:1-10,13; Deuteronomy 34:10-12)
There are days that seem like weeks, and seasons when life is too much. We’re overwhelmed when available hours, or understanding, or patience, compassion, or strength are no match for our present burden of responsibility or heartache. We find ourselves impossibly inadequate, bereft, exhausted, dry. When we cry out, empty needing filling, weak needing might, lost needing direction, the Lord God is faithful to respond. In Him, as our days, so will be our strength. (Deuteronomy 33:25; Matthew 6:33-34; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 5:7)
Would we be honest with the Lover of our souls about our frustrations? If we take His assignments seriously, we must take His word and promises and character the same. Would we in faith acknowledge our depletion and bring open hands? Would we take advantage of the divine communion He offers to be affirmed in our calling and replenished in His provision? (Matthew 11:28-30)
How has the Lord undertaken for our burdens? Where has He placed us to relieve another’s? Coming to Him for help and hope, and receiving or contributing to His beautiful system of sustenance, magnifies His glorious sufficiency.
Father, keep me close and gratefully dependent.
As the rain and snow 