"I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me."

The burden of service is too heavy for us. We're not able to carry it. We're too weak and helpless, crushed under our own inability. God must carry us, and help us. He must have compassion.

Come to God in bitterness. Do not run off. Say exactly what's wrong. "Lord, I love myself! I love ease and pleasure. I don't want to serve."

God answers patiently through the blood of atonement. He talked to struggling Moses and Jonah. He was tender to downcast Jeremiah. He's gracious to saints in our affliction, and he delivers sinners. His pity rescues us, so we can continue.

Ultimately, the burden is never too hard, because he's the way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." God can do anything: he can make us love him, and sacrifice for others. He can make us delight in Christ, and pursue him. He can submit us to his will.

Let's call on him in trouble. Psalms 50:15," Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Do not hide the pain. Get sweet relief, and comfort. Love not the world!

First, "I am not able." Let us start here. We are wretched sinners. Christ never complained, when he bore our punishment. He never said God was unfair, and murmured! He never loved the world. He was always faithful, even when he died for us. He worshiped God, and lived for his glory, saying, "NOT my will," in perfect submission. Worthy is the Lamb, and unworthy is everyone else [Revelation 5:9].

God, however, never thought that we were able. Therefore, cast your burdens on him. The new man needs strengthening. The devil's in hot pursuit. Temptations are his specialty. He stirs up the flesh, makes spiritual things small, and he makes the world seem big and attainable.

Resist him steadfast in the faith. Say, "I'll delight in God, and do as he tells me. Joy is in Christ, and not the world!"

Secondly, "alone." "I am not able to carry all this people alone." You are not alone! The Spirit in Moses made seventy men prophesy. Numbers 11:17, "I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself." God always has sufficiency. He never sends anyone alone. He's given us the church, and the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:11, "as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many." Others pray for us, and God's sufficient all by himself.

We already have power. We just need to look up. Tap into God! Fill your tiny cup. The ocean of his love awaits you. He won't run dry!

Shall God redeem us, and leave us behind? No he'll carry us. Isaiah 46:4, "even to your old age I am he, even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." Shall the helpless get no help? Isaiah 41:17, "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them." It's impossible for God to forsake us, and contrary to his character. He delights to help, and to fulfill his promises. Call upon him, and he'll deliver. Then, honor him with your joy!

Thirdly, it is "too heavy." Don't be discouraged; it's the PROPER WEIGHT of serving God! These afflictions are useful, so we can talk about grace, sincerely. They bring us down into usefulness, and humble stinking pride. They make us rejoice in God's goodness, and worship him. Matthew 14:33, "And those in the boat [after Christ revealed his power in the storm] worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” We know him better.

Seeing our own wretchedness makes us see God's perfect attributes. We see a loving, providing, and praiseworthy God. We grow in thankfulness [James 1:3-3]. These trials have their good season, as the root goes down, and praise goes up. Love and joy sprout out, and we're less in the flesh. True humility buds, and self exaltation ceases. We're content to be nothing, and Christ is all.

Our submissive spirit comes through the battering ram of insufficiency breaking us into pieces, so that Christ can shine forth in his generosity and compassion.