Why Walk?

As I studied at my dining table this morning, I saw a crow land and spend a little time in my front yard.  A few seconds later, he caught my attention as he walked through the yard, across the street, and on down toward the end of the block.  I chuckled for a minute; but then it occurred to me.  Why on earth would you walk if you have wings?

How many times do I puzzle over something for a couple of hours and finally think to pray?    Usually God gives me a solution or at least a peace about whatever the issue is.  How often do we worry and fret over problems we couldn’t possibly solve?  Or other things that work themselves out and we look back and shake our heads over all that wasted energy?  We know the Bible tells us, Jesus tells us, over and over again not to worry.

But let’s look at the flip side, the positive piece.  If you remove something, another thing must take its place.  Pour a glass of water out and the glass will be filled with air.  Ever try digging a hole in very light and dry sand?  It just keeps refilling itself.  

If we make a decision not to worry, to trust God, we had best have something to back that up or the concern will just creep right back in.  I choose to live in the power that God provides through His Spirit and His Word.  Why would I walk on legs that tire when I can soar on wings like eagles?

1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Nehemiah 8:10; Isaiah 40:29-31
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name…Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength…He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Relative Advice

This morning it’s about in-laws and parents...and advice.  Moses’ father-in-law to be more precise.  In Exodus 18.  Jethro, his father-in-law, had heard of everything that God had done for Moses and the Israelites.  He, along with Moses’ wife Zipporah and his two sons, came to visit Moses and Moses related everything that God had done for them, including all the hardship from which God had delivered them.

Jethro rejoiced and blessed God, offering sacrifices and eating with Moses, Aaron and all the elders of Israel.  On the next day Moses sat from morning until night judging the people and settling issues, making them aware of God’s laws.

Here’s where the story gets sticky.  Verse 17 is the one that brought me to a dead stop.  

“So Moses-father-in-law said to him, ‘The thing that you do is not good.’”  

Though this situation has a great ending, I’m not sure I would have gotten that far.  Because if anyone, particularly a close relative, were to come to me and say that, I’m afraid, while I might have a frozen smile on my face and the appearance of listening, my brain would be on the fast track.  I would be thinking of snide responses and then berating myself for not having the courage of delivery.  

Not only does God expect us to honor our parents, He did not put us on this earth to live in solitude, never accepting help or counsel.  Just before, in chapter 17, Joshua and his men defeated Amalek because Moses held the staff of God up.  When he let his arms drop, they began to lose.  Ever try to hold anything – hand weights, two cans of beans, two bags of ice, anything – in your raised hands for long?  But Aaron and Hur held Moses arms up for him.  We all need support from others and humility to react well to guidance.

Moses did listen to Jethro.  And he followed his very good advice and taught able men the laws and commands of God.  He made them rulers over small and large groups and he settled only the hard cases.  And his life was much easier for it.

If you have advice for me, bring it on!  I will try very hard to listen and give you a genuine smile of thanks.