MOSES
THE PRAYER FOR PITY
“I JUST CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE”
Date: March 3, 2002 PM service
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Numbers 11:10-15
Introduction
We are told and read that Moses was a man of great faith. Because of his great faith God was able to use this man like no other. But in this passage of scripture is suffering from a faith failure.
We all know what happens to a man when he suffers heart failure, or some other organ failure. Most often when a person suffers faith failure the first sign is a complaining spirit. Moses begins to complain to God about these people.
But such a complaint is not the problem; it is only a symptom of the problem. Let’s look at some of the symptoms Moses was experiencing.
I. Symptoms
A. Moses was Displeased
1. The people’s complaining was evil in his eyes.
2. He was angry, not for the Lord’s sake, but for his sake.
B. Moses was Distressed
1. The people harassed him
2. They made him doubt his acceptability to God.
C. Moses was Defiant.
1. His anger made him defiant.
2. Did I conceive all these people?
MOSES’ SELF PITY & ANGER CAUSES AN ATTITUDE OF DEFEAT
“IF I’M NOT ABLE TO DO THIS ALONE IF THIS IS TOO HEAVY FOR ME, THEN JUST KILL ME. IF I HAVE TO DO THIS ALL BY MYSELF, KILL ME AT ONCE”
(1)
Have you ever felt this way? Has anyone ever let you down?
Then you know how Moses felt….
If all these negative feelings are not the root of the problem, what was? Let’s see if we can discover the source of the anger.
II. Source (The source of his anger was 3 mistakes he made)
A. A wrong estimate of the people.
1. He assumed they would be grateful for all God had done for them.
2. God had lead them out of Egypt to find the Promised Land.
3. Such high expectations could only lead to disappointment.
B. Then he went too far in the other direction.
1. When the weeping broke out throughout the camp, Moses began to doubt that there was any spiritual quality left in the people.
2. He thought they would never have enough faith to enter the Promised Land.
3. What will happen to a leader & the people that have lost their faith?
4. They will perish…
C. Moses’ biggest mistake was not that he had the wrong estimate of the people and of himself, but also of God
D. Wasn’t God the one that has caused the plagues?
E. Wasn’t it God who parted the Red Sea?
F. Wasn’t it God who provided the manna?
AT THAT POINT HIS VIEW OF GOD WAS VERY SMALL. WHEN YOU BEGIN TO UNDERESTIMATE GOD IT WILL ALWAYS LEAD TO DESPAIR.
III. Solution
A. He did the right thing
1. In his despair he took his complaint to God.
2. I believe God does not mind when we complain to Him, but we must be careful not to complain about God.
3. Remember the words of the hymn:
I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for his own.
B. Moses found relief in sharing his burden with God.
C. Someone has said, “A burden shared is half the load.
D. God gives Moses the solution Read verse16-17
Moses found relief in sharing his burdens with others
Jesus tells us to do the same
“Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me.”
Jesus bears our burdens & trails
“Come unto me, all you that labour & are heavy laden & I will give you rest”
What is your burden tonight?
You can cast all your cares upon Him
Invitation.
