pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: depleted


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If Only!

Reading: Numbers 11:24-34

Numbers 11:29b – “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his spirit on them.”

As we lead up to Pentecost Sunday we turn to Numbers 11. A little context first, though. Moses led the people out of slavery in Egypt and they have been wandering in the desert. Not too long after God provided manna – an amazing miracle that came in response to the people’s grumbling – the “riffraff” stir up more complaining, this time about a lack of meat. This is not the first or second or even third time they’ve grumbled against Moses’ leadership and against God’s provision. The weight of leading crashes down on Moses. The grumbling angers God. A depleted and frustrated Moses cannot bear the burden any longer. If things are going to be like this, he says to God, “please kill me.” Moses is done.

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve been doing what God asks of us, walking faithfully, and the road gets bumpy. If the bumps don’t level out but instead get worse, we can feel defeated and frustrated. We can cry out to God in desperation as the weight begins to feel too heavy to bear. We want to give up. As with Moses, God has a plan. We are not left alone in the valley. For Moses, God passes some of Moses’ leadership spirit on to seventy elders. They will help him lead, guided by the spirit. In our valleys, God walks with us in Spirit and often sends a friend to walk with us to lift our burdens.

Two men outside the gathering at the tent of meeting also receive the spirit and start to prophesy. A concerned Joshua alerts Moses, concerned for Moses’ power. Moses does not see it this way. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Moses pines, “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his spirit on them.” Indeed, if only all of God’s people were filled with the Spirit. Indeed, indeed. May it be so, O God. Fill us all with your Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Lord God, first, thank you for never leaving us alone in the valley or in other times of trial. Thank you for your loving faithfulness. Second, Lord, fill us with your Spirit – both so we can walk faithfully as we bear one another’s burdens and so we turn to you, our ultimate companion, in our times of need. Be with us all of our days, O God. Amen.


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Don’t Be Afraid

Reading: 1 Kings 17: 8-24

Elijah tells the widow that her flour will not run out and that her oil will not run dry until God brings rain and ends the long famine that had struck the land.  His request for bread must have settled on her as a heavy weight when she first heard his request.  The culture was one that placed hospitality very high.  It was customary that even if your sworn enemy came knocking and asked for lodging for the night, then one would provide a place to stay.

All the widow had left was enough flour and oil to make one last meal for her son and herself.  When she encountered Elijah she was gathering some sticks so she bake the last meal they would ever eat.  The widow must have been at a very somber place in her heart and mind.  It is at this point that Elijah asks for some bread.  She has used up her every resource and is preparing to make one last meal and then to die with her son.  It is now that Elijah comes along and asks if he can have some bread too.

Have you ever been where the woman is at?  Totally spent and at the end of the rope?  She is there.  It is like going through a very hard loss of a dear loved one, finally heading home and feeling emotionally spent after the funeral, and a distant friend calls to tell you the news of their unexpected loss.  It is like spending a hot July day working outside all day long at the Habitat house when a friend of a friend calls asking if you can help them move out of their apartment.  Every fiber in your being wants to say ‘no’ but you feel compelled to talk a while or to go and help.

Elijah must sense the apprehension in the widow.  So her says to her, “Don’t be afraid”.  When the phone rings or the stranger appears at your door, asking when we feel totally depleted, hear His voice, saying “Do not be afraid.  Trust me”.  May we find the faith of the widow.  May we too experience His amazing blessings when we choose to trust and to answer His call.