Today’s scripture: (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Brent Walsh):
“Did you hear that?” I asked my wife and co-driver, Julie, as we walked out of the dispatch office of our trucking company. “I told you it would come to this! They’re laying off drivers left and right. If we don’t find another company to drive for, we’re going to be stuck with a mortgage we can’t cover! We have all these bills and all these plans for the future… they won’t pay for themselves!”
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve laid out this doomsday scenario for Julie to ponder at least three times in the past.
The first time was because our branch of the company does not generally haul freight any farther west than Texas. I insisted that we really needed to find a company that sent their drivers from coast to coast, thus offering us more opportunities.
The second time was because fuel prices had started to skyrocket and small trucking companies were going under all across the country. I just knew that we were going to be in trouble because we drive for a small company, and the folks in the glass offices at our terminal were looking worried.
The third time was when the company had to temporarily lay off some drivers, Julie and me included. They said it would just be a short time, but I freaked out. I started hunting around in the newspaper and online for other companies who were hiring. It turned out that within ten days we were back on the job.
The last time I started looking for the nearest exit from our company was just recently, when GM announced their plant shutdowns. Our company’s primary customer is GM, so they started in on another round of layoffs. Julie and I have not been laid off, but my worries are already starting to surface. Will we lose our job? Will we lose our home? Will we have to sell all our earthly belongings to buy groceries? Should we move in with her parents?!
Of course this sounds silly, especially since every month enough money somehow makes its way into the checking account to pay the mortgage and keep the power on. God is obviously providing for our needs. But it’s hard to remember that when the creditors call and the stack of bills gets higher.
We can see from the story of the Israelites in the desert how long this defeatist mentality has been encumbering the human race. We read about the glorious exodus from slavery in Egypt that defies all the odds and clearly shows how much God cares for the Israelites, but before long, the Egyptians are in pursuit with threats of death and destruction. The Israelites are quick to forget God’s protection and blame Moses.
God defeats the Egyptians, and the Israelites are happy — until their food runs out. They start pointing fingers at Moses and accusing him of bringing them out to the desert to starve. God feeds them and they’re happy–until their water runs out. God provides water and they’re happy–until they come upon another hardship. They forget the fact that God has been providing for them all along.
You and I can see it clearly from our vantage point, and we may want to reach through the Bible and just shake the Israelites so they can see how short-sighted and annoying they are! But before we do that, let’s take a look in the mirror to see if we could be afflicted with that same short-sightedness.
- You might say that you could have faith in God, if only you didn’t have financial hardship due to a shaky stock market, overwhelming medical bills, rising fuel prices, or looming layoffs.
- You might say that the only thing standing in your way of complete happiness in God is your drunken father or codependent spouse or overbearing boss or unruly kids.
- You might say that you would love to spend more time in ministry, if only your congregation was larger or your worship leader was more committed or the media director was more tech-savvy.
- You might say that it’s all well and good to be content with what God provides, but God seems to likes your neighbor better since he just bought a new riding lawn mower while you’re stuck pushing your sputtering beater around on three wobbly wheels.
- You can always find reasons to not trust God and always find a direction to point your finger; the true challenge is to stop pointing fingers, and trust that God will continue to provide for your needs.
So the next time you find yourself looking at seemingly insurmountable odds, before you start blaming the circumstances or people around you, take inventory of how many times God has provided for you in times of crisis. You may be surprised!
Thought for the day: “Come before the Lord, for He has heard your grumbling.” Exodus 16:9
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.