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Wilderness of Zin: No Water!

My husband and I went on a tour of Israel several years ago. This post includes pictures and memories of our time there.

As we stood looking out over the desert below, there was nothing but dirt and sand for miles (or so it seemed).  I could just picture  thousands of Israelites.  The children who had left Egypt 40 years earlier, were grown now. They had watched their parents die in the wilderness, because they had rejected God’s plan for them to enter the land of Canaan (Numbers 13-14). Again,  whole congregation contended with Moses. Grumbling about their situation and blaming Moses for it.

The people then contended with Moses…”Why then have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this widerness, for us and our beasts to die here?  Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us in to this wretched place?  It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink.”  Numbers 20:3-5

If I was leading these people, what would I have done?  How I would I have handled these people who had seen God’s miracles, yet complained and rejected God’s commands again and again?

Moses and Aaron went to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces…the glory of the Lord appeared to them.  There Moses was told  to speak to the rock before the people and then it would yield water for the people and their animals to drink.

…Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock.  And he said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?”  Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly…Numbers 20: 9-11

           The water flowed and the peole drank…but Moses had been disobedient.   He had failed to treat God as holy before the congregation.  Both Moses and Aaron would suffer consequences of this action as neither would be allowed into the Promised Land. 

This action may seem small or even harmless to us…but to God it showed disbelief…Moses did not treat God as holy.

This event makes me think.

Are there times I fail to obey God in “little ways”? Do I fail to treat God as holy before others? Will I and others around me suffer consequencs of my actions and words. Will God avenger my evil deeds?

Help People During a Crisis

“I don’t have time for a crisis my schedule is already full this week.”

I think we can all agree, we don’t want a crisis to disrupt our dream of the perfect life. But they come anyway in the form of FLOODING, health issues, relationship break-ups, job and financial setbacks, etc… I have read crisis can be defined as NOT being able to live life “normally”. When family and friends experience crisis in their lives, we often would like to help, but don’t know what to do or say.

The seven suggestions listed below are by no means an exhaustive list, but as a guide as you to reach out to help in times of crisis.

1. SHOW UP.

Show up not for the purpose of sharing or teaching, but just to be present in their pain.

2. Ask questions.

When they is ready, invite them to go deeper into their story; ask questions that help clarify.

3. Listen…really listen.

Don’t try to solve or fix. Listen to what is said; share their pain. Sometimes the only words needed are, “I’m sorry.”

4. Suspend judgment.

Refrain from making critical opinion statements. Be vulnerable and willing to understand the story behind her words. Not that you are in agreement with their statements, but you are willing to let them be heard and respected.

 5. Meet practical needs.

Ask how you could best help. Do the kids need to be picked up from school? Meals prepared or other errands done?

6. Pray for them & with them. 

Be a “godly” friend, not just a “good” friend. Encourage then faith;  keep their confidentiality.

7. Know your limitations.

Continue to make yourself and your family your main priority. Encourage them to seek professional help. 

“If we listen well and carry the pain of others…we become part of their healing instead of their wounding. When we do this well we extend the heart of Christ in the ministry of binding up the brokenhearted. Maybe, just maybe, by carrying someone’s pain we give their souls space to breathe and believe again in Jesus who came to rescue, redeem, and restore…one story at a time.”           Kayla Hurt