Ordinary Time

Pause

Consider this text from John Newton's, The Lord Will Provide.

Though troubles assail and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The scripture assures us, the Lord will provide.

Still your heart. When you are ready, read today's scripture and open yourself to the One who provides.

Listen

Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, 'Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.'" And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 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 16:9-12

Think

God heard Israel’s cries and complaints. Typically, we complain to get attention and we expect someone to do something to fix whatever it is, or at least feel sorry for us. When our meal isn’t served as we ordered, we complain. When something breaks that shouldn’t, we complain. When our team loses, we complain. When we have to spend too much money suddenly, we complain. When our bodies hurt, we complain.

The people of Israel were tired and hungry, and they must have been scared of the unknown. What was promised to them remained unseen. So they complained, and they complained. God heard and God provided them with the food they needed.

Complaining comes when we allow our pain, our frustration, and our sadness to take over. God hears your complaints. God hears our cries out of the wilderness. God hears God’s people and provides answers in ways that we don’t always see. As the people of God, our job is to be on the lookout, patiently waiting for God’s response. Perhaps we can even be the answer to the cries of others.

Marnie Fisher-Ingram

Pray

God, thank you for hearing my cries and feeling my pain. Help me to be patient as you respond. Amen.

Go

No strength of our own, or goodness we claim,
Yet since we have known the Savior's great name;
In this our strong tower for safety we hide,
The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide.

The Lord Will Provide, by John Newton