Scripture:
Exodus 16:2-4 ESV
[2] And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, [3] and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” [4] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.
Observation:
The Israelites were used to the Egyptians providing their food for them. Now being faced with the fact that things were going to be different from here on out the unknown was starting to get the best of their thoughts, and they started to complain hunger was setting in and they were wondering where their next meal was coming from. They were starting to look back at their captivity, despite the hard labor and the taskmasters who worked them until they dropped. What they remembered was the pots of meat. Even though their life was miserable they had something to eat. They may have been delivered from Egypt but because it was very familiar to them and they knew what to expect they wanted to go back. The unknown was too much. However, they had no idea what GOD was about to do. HE knew that they were going to have to have food, and HE did not bring them through the Red Sea to starve them. HIS plan was for HIS people to learn to trust HIM to know that HE will provide they just had to trust, and after all why not? If we look back a page or two we can see how HE had just delivered them. Closing the door the the pathway back.
Application:
How often do we look back at our captivity and remember only the seemingly good things about it and forget the suffering it caused not only us but our families? Sometimes it’s like you almost have to force yourself to remember to pain and misery. In the treatment world, they call that euphoric recall. We run to what is familiar even if it hurts us. Because we know what to expect. But I want to tell you GOD has a better plan. We just need to trust HIM and know that his way is best. It won’t look the same as what HE just brought us out of but it will be a sweet taste to our lips. Learning to trust GOD when things look impossible is not easy. You may think you are going to starve. But at just the right time, when you think you have nothing left, there will be a sweet flaky cake and all you will have to do is pick it up…. And not take too much. If we trust in God, He will always provide for our needs.
Prayer:
Father, you are so good to us. You see what we need and you provide a way for that to be met. The longer I walk with you the more you show me I have nothing to worry about. Our job is to trust you. Even things look impossible. You have already made a way, you have already provided. We just need to look I thank you for your amazing grace. That has called me out of my Egypt and placed me in a position to trust you for ALL my needs according to YOUR riches and glory. I see it in all aspects of my life from just day-to-day needs to the company you gave me. May all that I do never cease to honor you in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.