I'm With You Moses

Leadership is tough. Always has been. Always will be.

Moses had an experience in Exodus 17 that every leader can identify with and learn from...I know I did.

The Israelites are once again complaining...this time that they don't have enough to drink. I wonder if Moses wanted to go Coach Herman Boone on them and say,"Water is for cowards. Water makes you weak...we are going to do up-downs until (all you Israelite wimps) are no longer tired and thirsty." Can you imagine a million Israelites doing up-downs in the middle of the desert? :-)

After Moses hears enough of the complaining, he cries out to God, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me?" (17:4) If you're a leader, you've asked God that question.

And as you ask it, you're thinking about all the good you've done for them and how much God has blessed you and them to this point. And you're frustrated that all they see is the current challenge and all the good is forgotten. I have no doubt Moses was in the same boat.

Look at what God says in response:

"The Lord answered Moses, 'Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.'" (17:5)

God gave Moses a choice: Keep moving forward and trust Me or sit around and wallow in self-pity because everything is not "gee whiz and hallelujah" at the moment. If Moses decided to "walk on," he'd take a step of faith because he would have to turn his back to the people in order to walk ahead. Remember...he was scared they would stone him. But, Moses knew he could not provide what was needed.

The only thing separating the people from the provision was Moses' obedience. Moses' question was about the people. The solution had nothing to do with them and everything to do with Moses obeying God.

What step of obedience do you need to take to "walk on" and unlock God's provision for the people entrusted to you?

Just last week, I had to make an incredibly difficult decision to say, "No" to an awesome opportunity in order to say, "Yes" to the next step God has called us to take in Columbia. Easy? Nope. Did God provide? He still is! He'll do the same for you. Walk on!