I had to stop and read this verse twice:
Then I read it in Holman Christian Standard Version:
Moses felt the obligation to solve this problem. He did talk to the Lord about it but assumed he would have to solve the problem. He looked for ways in human terms and felt completely overwhelmed. After all that He had seen the LORD do for Him, through Him, and around Him, he still asked the question of "how" in verses 23-22. I quickly realized that I am no different than Moses.
I know He is all powerful. I know He can do exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ever think or imagine. I have seen Him do it for others and I have experienced His power myself, too many times to tell. But what do I do when a "crisis of belief" rises around me? I wish I could say that each time I stand firm in my faith and with confidence believe God will......(fill in the blank) I too often waver in my faith and have to ask God to forgive my unbelief.
"Then the LORD said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” Numbers 11:23
Then I read it in Holman Christian Standard Version:
"The LORD answered Moses, 'Is the LORD's power limited? You will see whether or not what I have promised will happen to you.'"
I asked myself, out loud (I occasionally talk out loud to myself, doesn't everyone), "How could Moses have forgotten so quickly the miraculous things the LORD had already done?" The answer I got back was from the LORD, "How can you forget the miraculous things I have done for you?" Ouch.
Moses felt the obligation to solve this problem. He did talk to the Lord about it but assumed he would have to solve the problem. He looked for ways in human terms and felt completely overwhelmed. After all that He had seen the LORD do for Him, through Him, and around Him, he still asked the question of "how" in verses 23-22. I quickly realized that I am no different than Moses.
I know He is all powerful. I know He can do exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ever think or imagine. I have seen Him do it for others and I have experienced His power myself, too many times to tell. But what do I do when a "crisis of belief" rises around me? I wish I could say that each time I stand firm in my faith and with confidence believe God will......(fill in the blank) I too often waver in my faith and have to ask God to forgive my unbelief.
I am still in Faith Training 101 well maybe I have graduated to Faith Training 201. But I think I can respond to God's question, "Is the LORD's power limited?" I believe it is limited. It is limited when:
- I quench the power of His Spirit within me and choose not believe He can.
- I allow my finite understanding of the situation consume me.
- I seek solutions to the problem in human terms.
- I listen to those around me and unite with their wrong thinking.
- I look for a burning bush and miss the mustard seed in front of me.
8 Comments:
Good point, Wendy. How often we all forget; our God really is awesome. When reading what you gleamed from today's scriptures, the picture from what I pondered became full. God was providing manna from heaven (can you imagine!)and yet they craved the taste of meat from their days of bondage in Egypt.
At some point in our lives, we have all craved something. We need to put those cravings in check; is it a desire from God?
Wendy, I appreciate your faithfullness. Thanks, again.
I related the manna, a symbol of Christ Jesus, the true Bread from Heaven, to the Bible. The manna kept them alive just like His Word keeps us alive. Reading the Bible everyday will give us strength for the day. Each day they received new manna from God, they couldn't save up the previous manna...just like we should read the Bible everyday...not just remember His Word from previous readings. Each day it is new and alive.
Something else that stuck out to me was how angry God became when Mirian and Aaron did not submit to authority (Moses). This is a problem in churches today. Taking a stand against God-appointed authority. It causes divisions...jealousy...somone getting a position over someone else...the music...the list goes on...Look what God did to Miriam.
I loved tho how humble Moses was; he intercessed to God and through his prayer, God allowed her to come back after the 7 days of punishment.
In summary:
*let's fill ourselves up to the brim today with God's Word
*Let's submit to the authority
*Let's keep on praying for others as our God is powerful! He answers our prayers!
Loving Jesus right now!
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Oh what wonderful encouragement today from all so far. Wendy, "Lutiemom" and Lori, thanks for your insights.
Wendy, you focused on the same verse that captured my attention today...although, my head remembered it the way I had memorized it in the NIV, asking, "Is the LORD's arm too short?" That put an entire different spin on my writing today, as I thought about always being within His reach. Every circumstance, every emotional need, every financial crisis, every wounded heart, always and forever within His reach.
Thanking God today that although there are times I wander outiside His will, I am never outside the reach of His love.
Within His reach,
Joy
Thank you Wendy for your insight today (and Lutiemom and Lori). I have a persistant prayer that I have been praying about for about 5 years now. I am learning to be still, to know that God is God and not me, and to trust in His almighty power to act and bring things about according to His will.
Sometimes I wish that I could put my name in Numbers 12:7-8
"But not with my servant Karen. Of all my house, she is the one I trust. I speak to her face-to-face, clearly and not in riddles! She is the one who sees the Lord as He is."
Then I remember something I read earlier. This time (post resurrection) is the most intimate time God (the trinity) has had with human kind. We not only see who God is, but Gos is IN US. He speaks to me heart-to-heart. Oh God, how great Thou art!
Karen, CA
Wow...Joyful, I liked the interpretation you wrote about "is my arm too short" and that everything is always within God's reach. That really spoke to me!
I felt Moses was whining a bit when he felt burdened by the people (which didn't seem humble); then later God says Moses is the most humble person on earth. Wow! God is so awesome!
And later we read once again; "So Moses did as the Lord commanded him."
Let's all pray to stay connected to God as Moses exampled for us.
Morgen - MN
There are so many nuggets in the reading today. All the comments are food for thought. I believe we have these moments just as the children of Israel so we can realize “God is God” and we are not. Whenever we fall short of the glory of God through unbelief, it just magnifies how desperately we need the Lord in everything, small or great. Father, help us not to be a complaining people. God has given us so much, sometimes we just get caught up in "self" we don't realize what we are asking for is far less than what we already have. I stand guilty; I pray God makes me lie down in the bed of Thanksgiving (green pastures) to him always.
Also, 13:32 - so they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites. A few bad apples did indeed spoil this bunch. We have to be careful not to spread bad reports among those around us. We are to spread the "Gospel", the good news of Jesus Christ to edify one another.
Be blessed my sistas!
Debbie - North Carolina
I found a prayer at the end of one of Charles Stanley's devotions, that I have taped to my night stand so I can read it every morning and every night.
"Lord, help me to yearn for Your will above all else, even above what I think is best. I know you may have something better in mind. Please remove or alter my longings so that my desires align with Yours." How could anyone make it even more personal than that.
I appreciate all the comments from all of you sister's in Christ.
Jan
Hohenwald TN
Jan
I love that prayer. Charles Stanley is one of my favorites.
Thanks for sharing.
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