Breaking Bread With Jesus

You have laid the burden of all these people on me…Numbers 11:11

God’s people were complaining, not to Moses, but to God. Verse 5: We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!

This sounds so familiar. Our situation becomes overwhelming. We cry out to God for relief. He answers our plea. God leads us out of our situation. Finally, we enjoy life again. Then something happens. It could be anything. And we are back. So emotionally drained we can hardly think. We pray again; God answers again; things are better again. Same manna, day after day. Like them we can become displeased with sameness. But are we like them?

Their complaining got so bad God sent a fire among their tents. Then the people cried out to Moses, Verses 1 thru 3. Verses10 & 11: Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. So, Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 

Of course, they went to Moses. Verse 12: Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, “Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child…? Like some of us, Moses was tired of the responsibility of being responsible. But that is who we are. We are responsible. We are the parent. We are the leader. We are the ‘bread-winner.’

Where do we go? We go to God. Even if it is the umpteenth time, we go to God. We have genuine faith. Real faith does not fear the testing of faith. Real gold does not fear the refiner’s fire. Real gold is made pure by the heat. Fool’s gold, well, does not survive the fire. 

Do not complain against the potter’s hand as He molds you into the image of His Son. Nor the shears of the Husbandman as He prunes away unnecessary branches. We have seen the Bread of life, which came down from heaven—not as (they) ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever, John 6:58 paraphrase). 

Enjoy your time with Jesus.