June 26, 2022

(Exodus 16:1-3 NLT) Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

(Exodus 17:4 NLT) Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!

Isolation Traps

• People _____________________.

(1 Corinthians 13:7 ERV) Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.

• ____________________ plan.

(Proverbs 12:15 NLT) Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. 

• We don’t ____________________.

(Exodus 17:9-11 NIV) Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

(Exodus 17:12 NIV) When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 

• We’re ____________________ to stop and ________________________________.

A New Rhythm 

1. Let ________________________.

(Exodus 18:7 NLT) So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent.

(Exodus 18:13-14 NLT) The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”

(Exodus 18:17-18 NIV) Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good…The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.

(Proverbs 19:20 NLT) Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. 

2.  ______________________ and         start ________________.

(Exodus 18:21-22 NLT) But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. 

3.  Let _______________________.

(Exodus 18:23 NLT) If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”