From: Bishop Osagiede Godwin Osabuohien (sabuohien godwino) in IVORY COAST / COTE D'IVOIRE: LAID OFF FROM WORK, LOSSING FINANCIAL ECONOMY, THE LORD IS STILL IN CONTROL!
In
the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The
Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in
Egypt ! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we
wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this
entire assembly to death." … The LORD said to Moses, "I have heard the
grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat,
and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know
that I am the LORD your God.' "That evening quail came and covered the
camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on
the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other,
"What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them,
"It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat." - Exodus 16:2-3, 11-15
Laid
off from work. Loss of retirement portfolio. Banks closing. Billions
in bailouts. Homeowners evicted. Recession. Depression. If only we
could go back a few years and once again have the prosperity and job
security we once had.
Whether
directly or indirectly, all of us have been affected by the last months
of economic hardship. The effects on individuals may vary, but the
sentiment might be the same: We wish things were better…more like they
were.
Not
long after Moses was used by God to miraculously lead the people of
Israel out of Egypt, did the Israelites long to be back in the bondage
of Egypt instead of camping in the middle of a foodless, waterless
desert. How quickly they forgot the troubles of the past as they faced
the problems of the present. How soon they forgot the provision of the
Lord as they confronted the lack of the present.
Yet
despite the sinful complaining of the people, the LORD showed his
faithfulness. He heard the complaints of the people and graciously
provided them with manna and quail. Every morning the people were
reminded of the faithfulness of the Lord as they picked up the pieces
of bread. Every evening the people were filled by the quail that flew
into the camp. In the midst of scarcity came the Lord’s generosity.
Does
the Lord want us to learn the same lesson today? Absolutely! In the
midst of layoffs and losses is the consistent faithfulness of the LORD
Almighty. Every morning and every evening he provides. We may not
have all we want, but we probably truly have all we need. Yet even
more important than the food he gives to fill our stomachs is his love
and forgiveness that he gives through his Son Jesus to fill our hearts.
What a blessing that in these times of layoffs and loss, we still have a faithful, forgiving LORD!
Prayer:
LORD, help me each day to rely on you, not just for my earthly needs, but most importantly for my eternal salvation. Amen. ……………………………………………………………………………. Message produced by Bishop Osagiede Godwin Osabuohien The Great Commission Ministries International, Inc. Ivory Coast Charter |