pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: unwanted change


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Faithful Provider

Reading: Exodus 16:2-5

Exodus 16:2 – “The whole Israelite community complained against Moses and Aaron.”

As we begin a few days in Exodus 16 we join the Israelites in the desert or wilderness, depending on your translation. They haven’t been gone very long – just long enough to run out of the food they took with them as they hurried out of Egypt. Because of this, “The whole Israelite community complained against Moses and Aaron.” Finding themselves in an uncomfortable position, a mix of fear and anger and longing rises up. They look back at their time in slavery and wish that they were still there. At least there was meat and bread aplenty. They wonder if Moses brought them into the wilderness to “starve to death.”

We too will find ourselves in desert places or in the wilderness of life at times. This is never an easy place to be and it is seldom a place of our own choosing. Unwanted change or loss or death or illness creates these experiences. We feel out of control. We feel unease, discomfort, disorientation. We often cry out, complain , grumble, and/or question God.

In our text, God hears Israel’s complaint. God will rain down what they longed for and remembered from their time in slavery: meat and bread. Each day, God will provide what they need for that day. Day by day, Israel’s trust in God will grow. In the same way, God hears our cries, our grumbles, our questioning. And because God is faithful, God provides what we need. God usually does not yank us out of our desert places, but becomes present to us in these places. It might be through meat and bread brought by a friend or neighbor. It might be through the comforting presence of our faith community. It might just be the strength to get through one more day. When we turn to God, yes, God is faithful. God will provide.

Prayer: Lord God, you are always with us. We always need you – especially in our desert or wilderness moments. Thank you for your faithful provision in our times of need. Continue to work through these experiences, building us up, growing our faith. Amen.


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A “Song” to “Sing”

Reading: Psalm 40:1-4

Psalm 40:3b – “Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the Lord.”

Photo credit: Matt Botsford

David’s Psalm 40 is a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s salvation in his life. As we read the passages today and tomorrow, we will see how God’s rescue instills in David hope for the future. While we do not know the exact nature of this particular rescue, we too have experienced rescue by God. Whether from a poor decision or from a sin, whether from an illness or from an unwanted change, whether from suffering caused by another or from grief over a loss, we have all been in the “pit.” From these depths we’ve all cried out to God. And we have all experienced God leaning down, listening, lifting us up, steadying us, and putting a “new song” in our hearts. We’ve all been saved. We all have a “song” to “sing.”

David was an accomplished musician. As a youngster his music calmed a troubled King Saul again and again. Over his lifetime, he wrote many songs to God. Almost half of the 150 Psalms in our Bibles are credited to David. You too may be musically talented. If so, let your song of salvation be proclaimed in music. But maybe music isn’t your thing. Maybe it is creative writing or poetry or painting. Maybe it is story telling or having good conversations. Maybe it is prayer. We all have a “song” to “sing” to God and to one another. Our call is to “sing,” so that “Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the Lord.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, first we thank you for your steadfast love that draws near, that hears our cries, that rescues us – often from ourselves. Lord, turn these experiences into our “songs” of faith. However we express our testimony, God, use it to bring others to a saving faith in you. Amen.