“I am not able to bear all [this] alone.” Numbers 11:14 NKJV
“Life is filled with responsibilities well beyond your abilities.”
My thoughts and comments today are about “responsibilities.”
Sometimes you are equal to the task; at other times your responsibility seems larger than your abilities. That latter reality can be quite daunting. When you face such situations, you are not alone; you are in pretty good company. Life is filled with responsibilities well beyond a person’s own abilities. Paul wondered, “Who is equal to such a task?” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV. God’s answer is, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens.“ See Matthew 11:28-30 NLT. With God in you and others with you, you are sufficient. See 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NKJV.
Remember Joseph who was asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and then devise and administer a government program for all of Egypt for seven years of abundance and seven years of drought? Or David, just a shepherd boy, who accepted a mortal challenge to face a giant of a warrior? Or Daniel who was asked to discern a King’s dream as well as interpret it, with the threat of his and others’ deaths for failure? Or consider a devout Jewish girl, likely a young teenager, who is told by an angel that she would supernaturally bear the long-promised Messiah? Good company, indeed.
On more than one occasion, Moses told God that his task was too great. As the leader of several million people whose history was generations of slavery, Moses felt a weight of responsibility he found overwhelming. “I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If you treat me like this, please kill me here and now.” Read Numbers 11:1-17 NKJV. Not able, too heavy for me! Sound familiar? There is an answer. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.” See Psalm 55:22 NLT. Every overwhelming situation is your invitation to rely on God’s faithfulness and sufficiency, not your own.
That was not the first time Moses felt inadequate. When God appeared to him at a burning bush with the assignment to liberate a nation, Moses could see no way he could accomplish that. So God said, “I will be with you.” See Exodus 3:1-12 NKJV. When God sent him to tell Pharaoh, “Let My people go!” He claimed disqualification because of his inadequate speech. So God said, “I will send Aaron, your brother with you; I will speak to you; you will speak to him; and he will speak for you to the people.” Do you notice a pattern? God will be with you and has put the people around you that you need to do what God asks you to do.
God was not shocked by Moses’ inabilities, nor is He by yours. Apparently, God never intended for Moses to do it all on his own, nor does He intend that you do so. God was faithful to provide Aaron and Miriam, Moses’ brother and sister; later Joshua, a young warrior; then Aaron and Hur; then Jethro, his father-in-law. God’s answer to Moses is the same answer for you – God’s presence and direction, along with a company of people necessary for your success, equip you for the Godly responsibilities you are given. It is rarely about what you can or cannot do; it is always about what God is faithful to do for you and through you.
God’s solution for Moses? “Bring seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to be leaders and officials among the people . . that they may stand there with you . . I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.” Numbers 11:16-17 NIV/See Exodus 18:13-26 NIV. Some responsibilities cannot be accomplished alone.
Those who help others will find the help they need when most needed. See Galatians 6:2 NKJV. Sowing and reaping is at work at such times. Who needs some help from you today to carry their heavy load? You can pray for them; give a helping hand; share a word of encouragement; be a friend who cares; offer companionship on their journey; write a note of comfort and care; spend some time listening; mostly, show them someone cares so they will believe that God does. It’s often the little things that help the most.
My prayer for you today is that life does not overwhelm you when God is alongside you.