While walking in the early morning, i saw something that reminded me of the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert, after God freed them from captivity... it was "manna". Well, not real manna, but seeing the wispy white patches all over the yards certainly made me think of it.
Manna was a physical sign of God's faithfulness in providing for the needs of His people. Every morning, without fail, He provided the sweet heavenly bread; yet in a short time the Israelites grumbled wanting more... even longing to return to bondage in Egypt just for heartier, richer eats. I feel an eerie connection, right now, to them... "just give me my old life back".
Our world has been operating at warp spend for a long time. People have been over-stressed, overworked, overloaded, overwhelmed and plain exhausted. Then Covid-19 occurred; and life as we knew it slowed down dramatically. We are now about 90 days into this strange journey. Uncertainty of the virus is continuing and a growing unrest with injustice has increased the heaviness of our soul. These are daunting days. Can you imagine this going on for 40 years? I think i might have been too harsh on the Israelites with their inability to "just trust God", especially after He parted the Red Sea and continually answered their needs. God never said the journey would be easy, but He did say He would be with them... He would free them, redeem them, take them as His own and be their God. God was moving them from captivity in the world to freedom with Him in the Promise Land. Yet, their focus stayed more on the moment of misery than on the God of Power and Might.
What about me? Have i not seen God working in my life with miracles and unconditional love? Do i not know and trust He is moving me (us) from ways and lifestyles that are harmful, meaningless and selfish into a stronger, more satisfying and meaningful relationship with Him? Yet, i mumbled today.
Fact is i am not trusting God much better than the Israelites, and i have the benefit of His Living Word. Alas, we still go astray... desiring and believing what the world says is good, instead of what God says is good. That morning manna i saw was a cold-water-in-the-face reminder. We need to be emptied of the bloated attitudes and actions of arrogance, self, pride and power, and instead be filled with the desires of God... love God with all your heart, mind and soul; and love your neighbor as yourself. And, trust Him with each day.
Father, i hear You knocking on our doors, i see the numerous wake-up calls for change, i feel the pain of fear in our homes. I taste the bitterness of unkindness in our neighborhoods. We see the manna, so where is our faith? How much more of a shakeup is needed for a turnabout and dependency on You? Another 90 days, a year, 10 years, more? Yet, You have already given us the answer. And it lies within us:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
I am praying for the comfortable to get uncomfortable and for a transformation of hearts to occur. I am ready for better days. Father, we need a healing of our land, our mind, and our soul. May our outstretched arms stay firmly wrapped around You, and not fall back down by our sides.... and our ways. Thank You, Father, for the manna and mercies... fresh and new each morning. May You matter more to us than we do to ourselves.
we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal
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