To Help or To Leave

Scripture:

Exodus 18:13-24 (NIV)

The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening.  When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.  Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”

Moses’ father-in-law replied, “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. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.  Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.  But select capable men from all the people men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.  If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

Devotional:

Can you relate with Moses in Exodus 18?  All of us can feel overwhelmed from time to time.  We need help even if we do not wish to acknowledge the fact.  The question I want to pose today is not you needing and accepting help.  No the question that comes to mind is if you are offering help.  We know that none of us can do it all, or do it alone.  We need God and each other.  Isn’t that why God gave us suitable helpers? 

I have heard people say ‘you asked for this or that.’  Something else that has been stated to me is ‘that is what you wanted.’  That may be true, for example we wanted to have a large family, but it doesn’t negate the fact that we need help.  From time to time we need a break, a change to getaway.  What is in your life that you want or love but at times just need a break?  What in your life have you needed someone to be there for you and no one was?  Instead of thinking I did it so can they; pause long enough to see if you can lend a hand.  Do you see a need somewhere?  Moses needed help and his father-in-law took time to give advice.  His advice changed Moses’ life, and those around him.  Can you make a difference?  What can you do to change someone’s life?  Through your actions a soul just might be saved.  Through your help or advice relief can be given.  Prayerfully seek God’s guidance in giving a helping hand to someone somewhere…