Listen

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole Israelite community, ‘Come near to the Lord, because he’s heard your complaints.’” As Aaron spoke to the whole Israelite community, they turned to look toward the desert, and just then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared in the cloud.

The Lord spoke to Moses, “I’ve heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat. And in the morning you will have your fill of bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

Exodus 16:9–12

Think

God loves us enough to respond even to misplaced prayers. The Israelites, recently liberated from slavery, have been grumbling, and even though they have directed their complaints toward Moses and Aaron, their real frustration is with the Lord. Moses brings the startling announcement: “Come near…he’s heard.” Have you ever let off steam about a teacher, a coach, or a parent, only to have that person overhear and respond? Imagine having that sort of encounter with God!

The Lord appears in a cloud – a cloud in the desert! Within an arid wilderness, God appears with cooling refreshment. God has heard the complaints and intervenes; God won’t leave Moses and Aaron to bear the blame. And God won’t leave Israel hungry, even after they grumbled to men rather than praying to God. God promises not just the nourishment to survive but meat and bread in plenty, enough to “have your fill.” The Lord is a God of abundance, “able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

Joshua Hays

Pray

Merciful Lord, hear my cries for rescue, even when I neglect to bring them to you. When I hunger in dry places, bring your refreshing grace to restore life and hope. Amen.

Go

God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8