In the Civil War, there were pivotal moments when one side or the other stood on the brink of a decisive victory. Momentum surged, the enemy wavered, and triumph seemed inevitable. Yet at Gettysburg, both armies—first one, then the other—found themselves on the edge of success only to falter. A lack of initiative, a moment of fear, or a failure to act caused momentum to stall, the lines to sag, and the opportunity to slip away.
History is full of moments when great victories were lost at the very threshold of success.
Moses should have been riding high as Israel neared the promised land. God had provided food and water. The people enjoyed His leadership and protection. Everything should have been positive.
But the spirit of gratitude evaporated. The people began to grumble. They complained to Moses about their “hard life.” Their complaint—and the consequences—is recorded in Numbers chapter eleven.
They grumbled because all they had to eat was the manna God graciously provided each day. They longed for the food of Egypt, saying they remembered “the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.”
We may not know exactly what manna tasted like, but we do know it appeared each morning like dew on the ground. It could be cooked in pots, made into cakes, and tasted like food prepared in olive oil.
But to complain about missing leeks, onions, and garlic? They looked backward with longing, forgetting the crushing bondage they endured under Pharaoh’s heavy hand. They actually preferred slavery to God’s provision.
In many ways, they behaved like a petulant teenager—well cared for, lacking nothing, yet never satisfied and always wanting more.
Leaders know this dynamic well. Most of us have dealt with followers who stop following. The demands of the day overwhelm them, or a spirit of ingratitude chokes out their commitment.
Moses did not handle the grumbling well. The incessant complaining finally pierced his tough exterior. His words were raw and honest:
10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? 13 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”
Moses turned his frustration toward God. He accused God of bringing trouble on him. He pushed the burden back onto God—after all, God brought the people out, so Moses expected God to handle them.
But Moses’ response was essentially a pity party. And leaders make a grave mistake when they turn their struggles into an excuse for self‑pity.
I would suggest three mistakes marked Moses’ response. The first two are drawn from an article by Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing.
1. Moses failed to take decisive action.
When the people began grumbling, Moses could have stepped forward and reminded them of God’s provision.
History gives us a parallel in General George McClellan. Given command of the Union Army, he constantly prepared but never acted. According to him, the army was never quite ready. He could not bring himself to launch an attack.
Leaders who refuse to act slow down everyone around them. Leaders worth following make decisions quickly, confidently, and follow through.
2. Moses complained instead of leading.
When the opportunity to lead was obvious, Moses chose to complain. Like the people he led, he lost sight of what God had already done.
Again, McClellan offers a lesson. He constantly complained about lacking resources—too few men, insufficient pay, not enough artillery. Yet he failed to use the resources he did have. Complaining became an excuse for inaction.
Leaders who fixate on what they lack often reveal deeper issues within themselves.
3. Moses forgot to rely on God for strength.
He grew bitter and collapsed inward. Instead of standing up to lead, he sat down and cowered. Leaders must rise above self‑pity.
A Jewish proverb says there are three men who get no pity: an unsecured creditor, a henpecked husband, and a man who does not try again.
The early disciples had a similar moment. After Jesus’ resurrection, they went back to fishing. Their failure was rooted in lost vision and self‑pity.
The story of Moses reminds us that even great leaders can falter when pressure mounts. But it also reminds us that God never abandons His people or His leaders. When we stand on the edge of victory, the temptation to complain, retreat, or collapse inward is real. Yet God calls us to rise, to trust, and to lead with courage. The difference between defeat and breakthrough is often found in the leader’s willingness to act, to stay grateful, and to rely fully on God. Victory is rarely lost in the big battles — it is lost in the small moments when leaders stop leading.
Every leader eventually stands where Moses stood — overwhelmed, frustrated, and tempted to give up. But leadership is forged in those moments. The people who follow us need more than our emotions; they need our steadiness, our clarity, and our faith. When we choose decisive action over hesitation, gratitude over complaint, and dependence on God over self‑pity, we position ourselves — and those we lead — to experience the victories God intends. The edge of success is a dangerous place, but it is also holy ground. Step forward. Lead well. Trust God for the strength you lack.
