Photo by Laura Jostes
Exodus 15:19-17:7; Matthew 22:1-33; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 6:20-26
Physically free,
but spiritually not
the former slaves of Egypt
now walked the desert miles
hungering, thirsting–
and complaining.
* * * * *
God heard their cries–
their loud laments,
“if only were were back in Egypt
we’d have leeks with our meat!”
In His mercy and remembering
His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
His hand fed them food from heaven:
manna by day
meat by night.
God cleansed the bitter waters.
He promised them disease free days
IF
they “would carefully listen to his voice
and do what is right in his eyes,
IF
“they obeyed his commands
and kept all his decrees.
For I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Exodus 15:25-26
If only God’s people would put their trust
in Him.
If only God’s people would give thanks
for his goodness to them,
for providing for food and drink.
If only God’s people would just stop
looking at themselves
and their lack.
If only God’s people would listen
and believe
and look up.
Lord God, if I were one of the wandering Israelites I know I would have been no different (even though I’d like to think I would have had more faith). My human flesh would have cried out and I would have complained. I know this because I am guilty of doing the same–and I’m not even wandering in a desert! But my heart often finds itself in the spiritual desert and I doubt you. I fail to look to you as my Sole Savior. Forgive me, Lord, for not trusting you with my whole heart; for doubting the truth of your Salvation message–that because of Jesus’s death on the Cross, all of my sins are forgiven. I’ve been set free. Send your Holy Spirit to fill the desert places in my heart that I may praise you and give you thanks for all your gifts pertaining to life here and life forever with you in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
“One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon
the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling.
He will hide me in the shelter
of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:4-5
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