Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Galatians 6:2-3 ESV
We need each other. God did not create us to live in isolation, but in partnership with other believers. Bearing burdens, gently rebuking those in sin, sharing together the truths of God’s word, doing good every opportunity we find.
Sometimes I might rely too heavily on those around me. Seeking affirmation, encouragement, a shared workload. Sometimes I just feel the need to know someone has my back. Therefore, I can easily relate to Moses when called to go before Pharaoh and he immediately pulls out every excuse he can think of.
I’m afraid of snakes (Exodus 4:3)
“I am not eloquent . . . I am slow of speech and of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)
“please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13)
God does not let him off that easily. Logically, He tried simply equipping Moses to do the job himself, but even with those displays of power at his disposal, Moses needed someone physically standing by him before he could muster the courage to return to Pharaoh’s presence.
And, God also gave him a staff. That staff that I’m sure meant so much to him throughout his lifetime, not because it was special in and of itself, but because of the Giver. I wonder if he ever thought of the ways God used that simple stick and was encouraged that God just might be able to use him, too.
There were rough days ahead for Moses. Rejection, delays, stress, mountains of responsibility, discouragement, and loss. The Hebrews had their burdens multiplied and when the weight of it all seemed unbearable, God was enough.
But the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do . . . ” (Exodus 6:1 ESV)
Sometimes, God provides all we need. Miraculous displays, people to help us in the work, a tool to get the job done. And still, the one thing we seek (Freedom, in the case of the Hebrew nation) remains elusive. They were brought very low. Waited for decades. And when there could be no doubt that only God could change their situation, He stepped in and they saw what He could do.
In the meantime, God calls us to bear each other’s burdens, lift each other up, look for every opportunity to do good to each other, and not grow weary in the waiting.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 ESV
Father God, thank you that You are always enough. You give me all I need and even the faith to wait for Your timing comes from you. Help me not grow weary in the task ahead and not neglect lifting up those around me that might be even wearier than I am. Thank you for the rich promises of your word to anchor my hope on everyday. In Jesus name, Amen.
Erin (6intow)
Sixty-six books in a year 