A Leader at the Breaking Point
Today ended up being a busy day with my City Council campaign activities. I met with some friends for a small fundraiser, had an interview with the Home Builders Association and then met with some leaders of a Water Conservation District. This will be a busy but productive week.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. 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?” Numbers 11:10,11 ESV
A denomination leader received a Monday morning phone call from a pastor. The pastor asked, “Have you ever told a congregation ‘off”?” The leader said he hadn’t. The insight came when the pastor responded, “I wish I could say that!”
Have you ever been at a breaking point? That point where you have done your best, but the challenges grow bigger, not smaller? Have you ever voiced your frustration and complaint to God?
Once again we find the Children of Israel complaining in the wilderness. This time because they did not have meat to eat. They were tired of manna. Moses had had enough! He even cried out to God to “kill him” so he could be free of the burden of leadership. The people complained to Moses, Moses complained to God. God intervene for both the people and Moses.
What I observe is that before God addressed the complaint of the people, He took care of the leader.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will 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 11:16-17 ESV)
Moses wasn’t the first and certainly the last leader to be at his wits end. Death even looked like a desirable option, but God had a different plane. Just as Jethro intervened for Moses in his practice of sitting alone in a place of judgement over the people, now the Lord intervenes for Moses at his breaking point.
God has seventy elders come before Him, sanctify themselves and then places His Spirit on them. “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied….” (Numbers 11:25 ESV)
The Lord also brought quail into the camp by the thousands and all the people had their fill and more as God provided and then judged them for their hard hearts and complaining. “While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague.” (Numbers 11:33 ESV)
God accomplishes His work through human servants and leaders. But He is concerned about the well being of the leader and we should be as well. The Lord wants many to share in the task and for the leader to remain strong and for the people to be blessed. Complaining and demanding our own way brings judgment. Faith and obedience bring blessing and provision.
Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that You don’t abandon us at our point of need. You come to our rescue and provide not just encouragement and strength, but practical solutions to meet a need. Enable us to keep our eyes on You in trust and obedience as we follow You to our “heavenly promise land.”