Shabbat Devotional June 6, 2026

Torah: Numbers 8:1-12:16
Prophets: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 (Hebrew Bible) 2:1-4:7 (Christian Bible)
Gospel: Mathew 14:14-21
 
Every morning before I open God’s word I go to him in prayer. I ask him to show me new things in his word I haven’t seen before. Honestly, I am still surprised each time I see something new revealed in word I have already read multiple times. Sometimes I am completely puzzled as to why I never saw something before.  His timing is perfect and he teaches us new things as our hearts are ready to recieve them. This morning, he showed me several things in his word. The biggest thing I took away from today’s reading was that God has always provided exactly what we need in HIS perfect timing and not a minute sooner.  It reminded me not to get discouraged in the waiting.
This morning as I prayed, I asked God to show me what I am missing and what he has for me to do. How do I impact others for the Kingdom of God and share all he has put on my heart when the whole world seems to be against everything he has shown me? How do I do this when I feel so ill equipped? I admit at times I get discouraged. I have always asked him to speak through me for these devotions and instead today he spoke straight to my heart. It is my hope that what I felt him say to me will speak to some of your hearts as well.
Moses was the man God chose to lead his people out of Egypt and into the promised land. God’s word says Moses was very humble, humbler than anyone else on the face of the earth. Perhaps that is why God chose him. God said Moses was not like the other prophets he spoke to Moses face to face. But even Moses got discouraged. The people grumbled against God and against Moses. His own siblings even grumbled against him. That would be enough for anyone to second-guess themselves and if I am honest to even second-guess God. 
After leading the Israelites out of Egypt, after all the signs and wonders the people still longed for what they had before. They got tired of the same old day after day “manna” that God had provided and longed for the leeks and garlic they had in Egypt. It is easy for us to think more highly of ourselves by looking down at them by thinking they were unappreciative. But after sitting here pondering this I was convicted deep in my heart. That grumbling is part of our sin nature. God gives us what we need for his purposes in his perfect timing! He provides us with everything we need for each day ahead. Not just food for the body but food for the soul. And yet we keep looking back. When the people grumbled God gave them what they asked for, he gave them meat and so much that they loathed the very thing they complained about after they had received it. We should take that as a warning. We should not question God or want what God doesn’t want for us because he knows better!
All of this made Moses question himself and God. He cried out asking why God burdened him with carrying the people of Israel. He felt the weight of this responsibility, and it was all too heavy for him to carry. His words to God are what really struck me…
“If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me–if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” Numbers 11:15
Moses was following what God told him to do, and the people were not getting it! They were ungrateful, frustrated and even turning against him. Moses was discouraged. The man who was humbler than anyone else on the face of the earth was worried about HIS own ruin much like I was worried about mine. He was worried he would not succeed in what God called him to do. I admit I have felt that way often. I must remind myself that this ministry is not mine, but God’s and he will do with it what he sees fit, and in his time. I have always loved– and tried to live by a quote from Charles Stanley, “Obey and leave the consequences to Him” I must admit today I was reminded that I may have forgotten that along the way. It doesn’t matter how many people understand or how big or small our ministry is, God desires our obedience. He knows the burden of the consequences are too heavy for us! All he wants is for us to obey and he will do the rest. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that his grace is sufficient for me and his power is made perfect in my weakness. God’s strength shines brightest in our weaknesses! Therefore, I will not be discouraged but like the apostle Paul says I will boast in my weakness so that HIS power may reside in me! Don’t get discouraged friends. Sometimes it is in the waiting that God does his most amazing work. Remember all that he has already done, obey what he called you to do today and leave the consequences to him!