Take your Burden to God

As the old song says, “We’ll understand it better by and by.” Sometimes God wants us to use blind faith in times of desperation, despite our lack of understanding in the ways and means of His solution. We’ve seen in this series on leadership how God requires that we make certain assumptions, take certain actions, and as we’ll see below, in the conclusion of this series, understand certain analogies, when leading those in their time of need.

Let us look at the analogies which must be understood when leading those who have a basic need that is unmet. One effective strategy is to look for the analogies of the Old Testament. These are the “meatier” portions of the Word. Ask yourself, “What is He really trying to teach?” The first of the analogies is that water was a need. In John 4, Jesus sat at a well and told a Samaritan, “I can give you water that will take your thirst away. I am the Living Water.” Jesus was the fulfillment of the analogy that took place in Exodus 17. God always does more than simply what we see on the surface. Here, we see that the big picture. The Israelites needed to observe that the Water of Life came from the smitten Rock, which symbolized the Son of God. The Bible declares very candidly, in 1 Corinthians 10:4, that the Rock which Moses struck was, “The Rock of Christ!” When the rock was struck, this was a prophetical smiting of the Son of God. He was smitten for our sins that the Water of Life might come out, and all who would drink by faith may live forever. It’s teaching Biblical salvation through Christ.

Now, there is also the analogy of the rod of Moses. This rod was useful in balancing his walk. Moses had forty years of balancing his walk by traveling over the rocks and rugged terrain with his sheep. It kept him from breaking his neck, as well as, defending and rescuing his sheep when they were in trouble. God then used him in a supernatural way. God needs to do a work personally in us before He can do anything through us. Learn to be stabilized by the Lord. Walk with Him. Consistently depend on Him and His power. The rod was a symbol similar to the scepter in the hand of pharaoh. It was key in dividing the Red Sea, bringing the plagues, and in bringing forth water from the rock. Be reminded, Moses didn’t simply pick up the rod at a “nickel and dime” store, he honed it over forty years of applying Godly principles to his own life. It was then that God used the rod in an awesome way.

Moses understood that God was the reason for stability in his walk, self-preservation, and security in life. It all depended on the power of God represented by this walking stick. These verses in Exodus 17, indicate to us that we should not think God is wrong when He says, “I’ve not seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread.” There are other aspects to consider. If you are where God wants you to be, you may have needs which are unmet. You may need a miracle. He’s the One Who can give you that miracle! You don’t have to manipulate Him. He can bring you the miracle in His time. You may get thirsty and complain. However, be careful not to criticize others. You can take your burden to God and cry out to Him. See what He can do. He can do much through your need!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Dr. Paul A. Kingsbury