Dave’s Monday Blast – October 1, 2018

Last Sunday I was at Auburn Oaks Retirement Community sharing a compelling story from Numbers 20. (FYI – we are blessed to conduct a service the third and fourth Sunday of each month). My intent today is to encourage you to get into this passage and ask the Holy Spirit to unpack for you the powerful truths waiting to be discovered.

Moses was without question one of the greatest leaders of all time. His accomplishments are storied in the Old Testament, leading tens of thousands of families for forty years through a harsh environment. But this story provides an intimate, yet raw picture of a leader struggling with exhaustion and frustration.The children of Israel were a never-ending source of aggravation and conflict for Moses because of their enduring lack of faith and the hardness of their hearts. The toll it exacted upon Moses is evident in this narrative.

I list 6 story details… my ‘take aways’ follow: Can you find a point of relation?

1. Miriam had died…loss is hard. v. 2 (Re-examine her backstory for insight into impact)
2. Moses was exhausted by conflict…leadership is hard. vv. 3 – 5
3. Moses sought the Lord…waiting is hard v. 6 (His first decision was the right one)
4. God provides direction…obedience is hard vv. 7 – 11 (He needed more time with God)
5. God is ALWAYS faithful regardless…acknowledging His grace is hard. v. 11
6. Moses struggled with his flesh his whole life…change is hard. Deuteronomy 1

Application:

1. Do you believe that God loves you enough to meet with you? (Lamentations 3:22 & 23)
2. Where do you need to be renewed today?
3. In what ways are you living in your own strength?
4. Where do you need to stop striving and receive the grace and help of God?