Encouragement

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GOD'S ASSURANCE (Exodus 33:12-14)

“Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

God chose Moses to lead the nation Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land. It was a long and arduously painful 40 year journey for Moses, who cried out to God many times, asking to be released from this calling, which he frequently saw as a burden. His task was not an easy one. It is likely that he was responsible for as many as 2 million people, because according to Numbers 1:46, there were 600,000 men between the ages of 20 and 60 who left Egypt in the Exodus, plus the elderly, women and children. Imagine his daily logistical nightmare, and all the issues of food, water, sanitation, discipline, etc, for which he had to plan and implement in the middle of a desert, without the technology or skills we have today. He had multiple responsibilities, and was seen also as the spiritual leader and judge. He probably hardly had a moment to breathe. In fact, in Exodus 18:17, we are told that Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to delegate some of his work, because he saw that it was too much for Moses, and he was working all day, without a break. He was busier than most modern day CEOs, with none of the pay and perks! He was working hard, and striving in his own strength, to keep this huge operation running, and everything under control, but he probably hardly got any sleep at night. He probably never got any family time or leisure. This was not God’s will for him. He was fulfilling the overall purpose God had for him in his role as leader of the people of Israel, but he wasn’t doing it God’s way, which is always the best way!

There are many precious people out there in the corporate world and in ministries, stalwartly standing in the position of leadership God called them to, but exhausted, worn out, unable to control their time or their calendar, because they are doing it their way and not God’s! Perhaps you have been wondering if you should be where you are at all. Maybe you are crying out to God to release you from your seat of authority, but God has different plans; He calls us to change direction today. He wants to teach His sons and daughters to rest in Him and know the absolute peace that only He can give, even while faced with enormous challenges every day!

When Moses prayed this prayer, he was planning to move towards the destination God was directing him to. But in the freedom of the close relationship he enjoyed with Almighty God, he said ‘if I am to lead these people where you want us to go, who are you going to send with us, as strength and enabling?” He knew he could not take the next step of this mammoth task alone.

Moses probably expected to receive divine help in the form of an angelic host; or perhaps he thought God would choose and raise up more leaders to help him in his difficult mission. But God had something else in store, the very best that Moses could have to help and empower him – the very presence of Almighty God!
God knew him by name! Moses was stressed out, weary, and very tired of being the leader of this motley multitude who never appreciated him, and grumbled against God and the leadership every time things did not go their way. Moses was frequently angry and distressed, and probably often grieved the heart of God with his bad attitude; but God knew Moses by name; God knew his heart and his willingness to please. God saw his longing to understand His ways and how much he set his heart to obey God. God was pleased with that. God’s favor was upon him.

Dear friend, you may be very tired of where you are right now. It could be that you have been wanting to pack up your tent and move on to greener pastures, or to retire from where God placed you. Perhaps you have been berating yourself about your attitude and reactions to the people you are responsible for. But God sees your heart. He is pleased with how you have hung in there, and set your heart to obey His will. He knows you by name! He knows all about you and where you are coming from. You cannot move on because He is not done with you yet! There is much more He desires to do in and through your life; and while you may still see many challenges and seemingly impossible barriers in your path, God gives you an assurance today that His presence goes with you as you take the next step. You can stop trusting your own rationale and abilities, and you can begin to trust Him. Let go, and fall into the arms of the Master – He will do a much better job of leading your tribes than anything you could ever do! Let him take the reigns and teach the leader to lead! Let Him take away your weariness and discouragement and fill you with joy. Let Him go before you and give you rest!

In summary, let me leave you with these thoughts:

1) The presence of God is more than sufficient for your every need. “When God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

2) The presence of God brings peace/rest, regardless of your situation.

3) Moses had the assurance of God’s presence because God was pleased with him.

4) He found favor with God because he sought to understand what would please God.

5) Moses knew that pleasing God could not be for a single moment or situation, but had to be a continuous way of life.

6) His intercession was always for the people he had been called to serve because he acknowledged his place of leadership as a divine calling. (“Remember that this nation is Your people…”)
Whoever you are leading is really God’s problem!

Precious people, it is no co-incidence that you are where you are. Whether you are a leader of a million or a few, God strategically positioned you in that place. In His presence is all the strength, encouragement, empowerment, wisdom and enabling you need, and He is promising today to lead you as you lead, and fill your heart with His peace. Step into His arms, and know that you are in good hands! Give it all to Him and experience the Holy Spirit lifting the burden and giving you rest. This sweet peace is what Jesus has made possible for you through the cross. Be blessed today, and find great rest in His presence!

Minoli Haththotuwa, 13 September 2010
www.wingslikeeagles.info

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