Thursday, March 12th, 2020
The scripture for today is Exodus 16:3
Exodus Chapter 16 has been titled, “Bread from Heaven,” but the verse we are looking at today reflects what happened in chapter 15 and before the verses where God provides bread. At this point in the scriptures, the Israelites had left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. They crossed on dry land by the power of God separating the water as Moses extended his staff and outstretched his hands over the waters.
~Exodus 14:15-16~
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground.”
~Exodus 14:29-31~
“But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.”
~Exodus 15:22-24~
“Then Moses ordered Israel to set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter. That is why it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
REMEMBER, the Israelites had forgotten the joy they shared and expressed to the Lord for their deliverance from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Three days into the journey into the wilderness they had forgotten again as they complained about nothing to drink. The Israelites had chosen to remember food in their belly’s but had forgotten to remember how they were beaten down and had forced labor put upon them. They were now free but wished to be slaves once again because at least their belly’s would be filled. They thought they were complaining about and to Moses and Aaron but in reality it was God they were complaining about. Moses and Aaron were listening to the voice of God and following His instructions.
I am not pointing fingers, it’s easier to theorize and dissect the actions of the Israelites given our vantage point. I do not believe the lesson to be learned here is to place blame on the Israelites, no I believe the lesson is to “Trust God.” God had a plan for the Israelites just as He has plans for you and I. God loves all His children and wants only the very best for us all. None of us are in a position of authority to cast blame or judgment. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23, “Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
One thing that I have noticed in my own life is that when life gets tough, fear sets in and I start thinking/romanticize about the past and how things were different. They were not necessarily better but I choose to only remember the positives. Our past is there to remind us that we have moved forward. The mistakes we made were lessons to improve our future. Trust God because He is always there for you. Our emotions are not always the most reliable, stable or accurate. Do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and DO NOT RELY ON YOUR OWN INSIGHT. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Practice:
• How is your hunger in the present keeping you from remembering the pain in the past?
• What freedom do you hope to have in six months?
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️
References:
HOPE SEEKER 
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