Down or Up

 “Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock.”  Exodus 2:17

Moses may have been sitting down, but injustice made him stand back up. 

Tired from his trip, he was resting by a well in Midian when seven sisters showed up to water their sheep.  About the time they arrived, some bullies “came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock”(Exodus 2:17).

Their early return home prompted questions from dad, who was appalled they had left the hero behind and sent them back with an invite to eat.  The meal turned into a marriage and a means of employment.  “Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage”(Exodus 2:22).  

What gifts of grace!  Moses was on the run because of his wrong, but God was right there with him—protecting, providing, and preparing.  Moses made it safely to Midian, a land out east of Egypt, and though we don’t know how many mean men harassed the seven sisters at the well, we do know that Moses was only one but he won!  He needed supper, a spouse, and a job, and because of that single encounter, God gave him all three.  He now had something to do and someone to love. 

And God was getting Moses ready for the future.  Though he knew and embraced his Jewish heritage, Moses had lived a silver-spooned Egyptian life and needed to feel the angst and ache of hardship and heartache.  Since he would be leading a million people through the desert for decades, he needed time to learn the workings of the wilderness and the ways of the Lord.

But before any of that, Moses faced a choice as he rested by the well—he could sit and sulk or he could stand and save.  And as Moses found his feet in faith, God poured out His favor. 

When you feel like staying down, stand up.

God often takes care of us as we take care of others.