RELY ON GOD’S LOVE

Stop.
In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask: “Give us this day our daily bread”. Take a breath, close your eyes, and pray just that line five times.

Listen.
The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” – Exodus 16:11-12

Reflect.
Earlier this week, we heard how the Israelites panicked when the Red Sea blocked their escape from Egypt. Today, we read about yet another time when the Israelites panicked and forgot about God. This time, it’s when they get hungry in the wilderness.

After the exodus from Egypt, but before they arrive in the land God promised them, the people wander in the wilderness. It’s not a hospitable place. They quickly jump to the conclusion that they’ll starve. They complain to Moses and Aaron, God hears their fears, and gives them food. The catch is that the bread and meat God sends is just for the day. They can’t store up any extra. They have to trust that God will send them what they need each day.

It’s a hard thing to trust. We want to depend on ourselves, working extra hard to make sure we can get along on our own. But God calls us to something else. God invites us to trust in God’s providence, relying only on God’s love and mercy for each day. God will give us what we need.

Pray.
God, I see all I have as a gift from you. Thank you for giving me only what I need, and thank you for sending me into the world to share these gifts with others in your name. Amen.

Carry On.
What’s one thing you have more than enough of? Who needs you to share that? How will you do that today?