EXODUS 17:1-3: Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the
Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there
was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us
water, that we may drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you
tempt the Lord?” And the people thirsted there for water, and the people murmured against Moses,
and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock
with thirst?”
Where highway construction is taking place, a sign frequently will be posted that reads, “Give ‘Em a
Brake.” This has a double message: one is to slow down, and the other is to spare the workers from
injuries caused by carelessness. Highway workers do their job under hazardous conditions and we
need to give them a “brake.”
The same sign could have been posted outside the tents of Aaron and Moses. Time after time the
people of Israel rushed into judgment against their leaders until finally, here at Rephidim, they were
ready to stone Moses to death (v. 4). Only God’s intervention prevented a tragedy. Without question,
these people needed to give Moses a break.
This sign would fit equally well in front of the homes of many pastors and other church leaders. A
study by Leadership Journal and Christianity Today, Inc., found that 22.8 percent of pastors have
been fired or forced to leave their churches at least once in their career, and one in four of these has
experienced this more than once.
Sixty-two percent of the discharged pastors said the church that let them go was a “repeat offender”
and had fired at least one previous pastor. Isn’t it time we gave a break to those called of God to lead
His church?
Be very careful when tempted to be critical of your pastor or other church leaders. You may find
yourself not only opposing them but God as well. Slow down before passing judgment, sincerely
check your motives, and make sure there is a sound, biblical reason for your complaint and not
simply a personality issue. More often than not, what you need to do is “give ’em a brake.”
PASTORS NEED YOUR GRACE, NOT YOUR GRIPES