October 12 | Exodus 18:13-26

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Exodus 18:13-26

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REFLECTION

Wise Counsel

by Kim Starr

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, saw how exhausting it was for Moses to serve as judge to the Israelites. He told Moses, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.” Jethro then recommended what Moses should continue to do and suggested Moses appoint officials over the people who would serve as judges.

Has anyone ever told you that you are doing too much? At my last job, I was doing the work of 3 full time employees on my own. It wasn’t until I no longer worked there that I could see what a horrific position I had been in. No wonder I felt exhausted, worn out and abused. I should have listened to the people telling me to leave much sooner than I did.

God often uses people to speak to us and give us advice on how to best handle various situations. I have been blessed with many people in my life who supported me as I left that job and helped me to see what God had been saying to me for months. If we ignore peoples’ advice to us, we may miss out on something God wants us to know. Remember how God used prophets to get his message across? God uses people in our lives to help us see his message. It is part of why he wants us to be in fellowship with other Christians.

If you ever find yourself becoming overwhelmed by your responsibilities, remember the advice that Jethro gave Moses. Do not try to do everything yourself. Instead, find people who are capable of doing some of the work, and then let them do it. Remember that God even gave his Son 12 disciples to help him share his message. And after Jesus ascended into heaven, those disciples enlisted others to help spread God’s message. That goal has now filtered down to you and me. Christianity is as widespread as it is because many hands make lighter work. Never forget that God did not make us to be alone, but rather to be a part of one body each doing its part to glorify Him.

PRAYER

Lord, why is it so hard for us to see that positions we are in are not good for us? Just like Moses, we do not see any other way until someone shares ideas with us to make things better. Thank you for sending Jethro to Moses and thank you for the people you send into our lives to advise us. Help us to listen, and act, so that we do your will. Amen

OCT 11 | EXODUS 17:8-16

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DAILY READING

Exodus 17:8-16

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REFLECTION

With Hands Lifted Up

by Beth Voltmann

The opening line of today’s reading grabs my attention:

“The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites…” (Ex. 17:8)

Moses had seen more than enough difficulty since leaving Egypt with his people. After escaping the tyranny of Pharaoh and trying to follow the Lord’s guidance as food and water were provided for the grumbling masses, did he really now have to face another enemy?

God promised Moses, “I will be with you,” (Ex. 3:12) but he never said it would be easy.

Don’t miss the fact that the continuing challenges were molding Moses into the humble, yet

confident and faithful leader that God intended.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. (James 1:2-4)

Upon seeing the enemy, Moses sent Joshua to lead the younger men into the conflict on the

ground while he summoned two faithful friends, Aaron (his brother) and Hur, to accompany

him, encourage him, and strengthen him as he lifted his hands to the Lord on the hill over the

battle.

I thought of Moses in this scenario recently while kneeling at the communion rail with my husband on one side and a dear friend on the other. In this life of faith, when the attacks come

(and come they will), let us lift our hands to the Lord and trust those in our community of faith to enter the battle with us. When we feel worn or weary, let us not forget that God has surrounded us with believers willing to fight, stand by us, and hold up our weary arms while we cry out to God.

"Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help,

As I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place." (Psalm 28:2)

Just as Moses lifted his sacred staff as a symbol of God’s power, let us together lift high the cross of Jesus and raise holy hands in praise to the Lord who is our Banner in the battle. (Exodus

17:15)

Remember the words of Jesus:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

PRAYER

Father, we lift our hands to you this day. We often grow weary when attacked, but we are learning to trust you in the battle! Thank you for the gift of salvation through your Son. May we fix our eyes on Jesus, lift high the sign of the cross, and look to you for victory as we are surrounded and strengthened by our friends in the faith.

October 10 | Exodus 17:1-7

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DAILY READING

Exodus 17:1-7

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REFLECTION

Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart; and Repeat

by Dan Kidd

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." This is one of those passages for which every time I recall it I do so singing a little tune accompanying it; a song we sang in church choir some time in my childhood. You may know this one. It's the first half of a proverb, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." As is the case with so many of the proverbs, it's as pithy as it is wise. If you want to journey on straight paths, trusting in God is all there is to it.

For all of its wisdom and truth, the proverb presents a problem for me. I agree with it and nod my head in resonance; trusting God is better than trusting myself, and submitting to the Lord is demonstrably better than being mastered by the world or the devil. And yet, I cannot in honesty or integrity say to you that my whole heart, everything about me, is entirely submitted to and entrusted to the Lord. Even as much as I want it to be so.

It's not the Lord hasn't proven himself to be entirely trustworthy and faithful. He has. It's not as though I'm not "all in" as a Jesus follower or that his baptism and communion are insufficient. My past, present, and future are intrinsically tied to King Jesus. But honestly, I also somehow still find occasions to worry, sit in anxiety, and second guess him. And I don't entirely know why. Certainly it's a consequence of my sinful nature in a sin soaked world, but it seems by now I'd have learned the obvious. Which, I suppose, is why Proverb 3:5-6 will be a proclamation and invitation to return to, to relearn, and grasp again.

And it's because of all this that I can, perhaps unfortunately, relate more than I'd like to these recently freed Israelites as they grumble and fret over their fate outside of Egypt. The Lord who had divided the sea for them to cross through, and drowned their slavers, would be faithful to provide for them. But they struggled like I struggle; to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on myself. Let it be that I would return to that trust again today. And tomorrow too.

PRAYER

Lord, we confess today that faith is a gift from you. Let it be that we would train our eyes and our trust on you and wholly you. Guide our feet to follow your path, even as we are prone to wander and falter. We trust you Lord. Let us trust in you all the more.