“The most faithful people are often the most frustrated people, because they’re committed to the cause” (Steve Furtick). I appreciate the level of frustration Moses must have felt. God called him to lead an ungrateful, rebellious and often nasty people.
Yet, Moses remains steadfast. He trusts God. The normal reaction of Moses’ flock of people is fear, frustration, accusations, and disbelief. How would you have reacted if you were Moses? Read these narratives:
OH NO! EGYPTIANS AT THE DOOR!
When Pharaoh got closer, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them and they were terrified. The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the desert? What in the world have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we can serve the Egyptians, because it is better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!’ (Exodus 14:10-12) The Israelites believed slavery was better than freedom. They discarded God’s plan for their good.
YOU HAVE BROUGHT US HERE TO STARVE
The Israelites go-to reaction is doubt and suspicion. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, “Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!” (Exodus 16:1-3) Did they assume Moses was a mass murderer?
AND THE WAILING CONTINUES
In response to descriptions of the enemies in the land, the Israelites wailed constantly. The whole community was in an uproar, wailing all night long. All the People of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The entire community was in on it: “Why didn’t we die in Egypt? Or in this wilderness? Why has God brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to become plunder. Why don’t we just head back to Egypt? And right now!” Soon they were all saying it to one another: “Let’s pick a new leader; let’s head back to Egypt.” (Numbers 14:1-4) Now they want another leader; one who will lead them back into slavery. Could Moses even think with all the wailing in the background?
WHERE DID MOSES LOOK?
Moses dealt with constant frustration, yet he kept His eyes on God. I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121)
ONE OBEDIENT FOOT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER
If you are obediently following God, please remember, frustration is normal. Moses was not out of the will of God. Just keep putting one faithful foot in front of the other. Remember, “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”