Day 67

Numbers 10:1–11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32

The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!

SOUND FAMILIAR? We’ve all faced times in which our world seems to be crashing in and we are utterly overwhelmed. This is how Moses felt in our reading in Numbers today. Even the greatest of biblical figures struggled with these emotions.

The people of Israel had begun to complain again. They lamented about days gone by when they were slaves in Egypt. Moses was beyond exasperated and overwhelmed by the constant burden of leading an unruly horde of people toward the Promised Land. They were acting like ungrateful children. He did what we each do when we’ve reached the end of our rope —he vented to God in an honest outpouring:

Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors?

God responded by rescuing Moses and offering a solution. He distributed the burden Moses was carrying alone by giving him help, and He miraculously gave the people meat to eat.

“Has my arm lost its power?” God asked. “Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” (Numbers 11:23).

Now is a perfect time to stop focusing on the responsibilities and obligations that threaten to capsize our lives. Instead, let us seek union with the God who will always rescue and restore us.

PRAYER:

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again.