Jesus - The ProviderSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: The Almighty Lord who provided food, water and dress to the Israelites who murmured against God and Moses, is also mighty enough to feed and protect you. He will not permit wicked people to overcome us. He will supply us our daily needs and guides us. "You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst." (Nehemiah 9:20)
When the people of Israel murmured against Moses when they had no food to eat, the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Speak to them saying, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God'" (Exodus 16:11,12). Accordingly, He gave, through wonderful means, in the wilderness, meat and bread for them to eat to their satisfaction (Exodus 16:11-16). More than that, He 'sent them food to the full' - angels' food (Psalm 78:25). Earlier, at Marah, the Lord had changed the bitter waters into sweet waters for them (Exodus 15:26).
After the supply of meat and bread, when the Israelites had no water to drink, God commanded Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you stuck the river and go.
Behold I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you will strike the rock and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel (Exodus 17:5,6). Through this miracle, God gave the Israelites abundant water to drink. Their garments 'did not wear out'; their foot did not 'swell' for forty years (Deuteronomy 8:4). He fed them and shielded them with such a minute care.
Friend, the same loving father is telling us today, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink nor about your body what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 'Therefore, do not worry, saying what shall we eat? What shall we drink? or what shall we wear? For your heavenly father knows that you need all these things. But, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:25,31,32,33)
Dear friend, the Lord who provided food, water and dress to the Israelites who murmured against the very God and Moses, who led them according to His command is also mighty enough to feed and protect us.
"The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." (Psalm 34:10)
Let us seek Him with all our heart. God, the Father sent His only beloved Son for us and permitted His Son to be sacrificed on the Cross so that our spiritual and physical needs will be met. Look at His body, sorely wounded all over, hanging on the Cross and the passers-by blasphemed Him wagging their heads. There was no one to console Him suffering from acute thirst. When the time came for Him to surrender His life for our sake, darkness enveloped over all the land. God's presence was taken away from Him. That was why He cried out with a loud voice saying, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
Friend, Jesus Christ, the Lord was forsaken for our sake. So, He understands our situation, in which everyone has forsaken us. The Lord of the Cross who has guaranteed us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" will definitely clasp our hands and lead us out of our misery. He, who was a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire to the Israelites, who shielded them from Pharaoh and his forces and who provided them with food and water, will surely feed you.
Let us surrender our entire life to the Lord. Seek Him wholeheartedly and put our trust on His power. He, ignoring our sins will intercede for us Father and shield us. He will give us His Spirit of instruction to make us aware of God's glorious power. He will keep us alive by faith. Acting as a wall of fire, He will not permit wicked people to overcome us. He will supply us food and the other needs everyday. He will guide us and He will never forsake us.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
You are Holy and Almighty. Even when the Israelites murmured against You and Your servant Moses, yet You met all their needs. Lord, graciously meet all my daily needs. Help me not to murmur against You in any situation. Be my shield of fire and protect me. Grant me Your spirit of instruction. Hold my hands and guide me. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |