Project 52 | Week 7: Overwhelmed

This week I read Numbers 3-17. And boy am I put off by the people of Israel. Each chapter, I am completely in awe of Moses and how he stood firm and didn't throw his hands up at all of the complaining and griping the people were doing when they fell on hard times. Even God was getting irritated at their fickleness and threatened to wipe them all out a couple times. But Moses trusted God, interceded on the behalf of the people, and kept it moving.

In Numbers 11, the people found yet something else to complain about...this time about not having enough food to eat. And wishing they were back in Egypt where, by the way, they were enslaved, before God led Moses there to free them.

Now that the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, "Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at." - Numbers 11:4-6

After enduring the whining and complaining for so long, Moses becomes overwhelmed and plain sick of their ungratefulness. He cries out to the Lord.

"...Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness." - Numbers 11:13-15

I feel for Moses. And can completely relate. Sometimes people are draining. Life is overwhelming. And we feel a heavy burden to stay afloat and keep those around us above water, as well. 

I love what God does in the next few verses, though. He answers Moses' cry for help by appointing elders to help him oversee the people. And by giving the people so much meat to eat that it will come out of their ears.

How's that for an answered prayer?

I'm trying to let all of that sink in. To recognize that when life rears its ugly head and relationships become hard to manage...the best thing to do sometimes is just cry out to the Lord. Confess your shortcomings. And wait on Him to do what only He can do.

Wanna know more about my Project 52 challenge?

Read more about it here, here & here.