'Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.' Exodus 16. 18b
Dear Friends
As we approach the time where the church calendar focuses on the theme of harvest (we’ll have our own mini celebration in this weeks' All Together Service followed by a cooked lunch that we can share in), I’ve been reflecting on God’s provision for his people as described in Exodus. If you remember the story, despite having been rescued from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were having second thoughts about leaving, with their empty stomachs increasing the grumbles. So God provides; quail and significantly manna from heaven - just enough to be cooked or baked for each day and with a double helping that won’t go off for the weekend (which enables them to keep the sabbath). The trouble is, there is a lack of trust with this idea of being dependant daily on God, and some household are tempted to take and hoard more manna than they require during the week, whereby the stored manna became smelly and maggot infested by the next day!
Fast forward many thousands of years and again we are witnessing a lack of trust. This time, instead of manna, folk are being tempted to stock up on and hoard fuel for their vehicles, filling their tanks to the brim. Again, there is enough to go around if everyone were to take what they need, but human nature is to take matters in their own hands with the resulting chaos of shortages.
The Lord’s Prayer reminds us of our daily dependance on God, and his willingness to supply us with all we need. May we be encouraged not to panic, worry or hoard, and trust that God provides us all we need.
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon
Dear Friends
As we approach the time where the church calendar focuses on the theme of harvest (we’ll have our own mini celebration in this weeks' All Together Service followed by a cooked lunch that we can share in), I’ve been reflecting on God’s provision for his people as described in Exodus. If you remember the story, despite having been rescued from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were having second thoughts about leaving, with their empty stomachs increasing the grumbles. So God provides; quail and significantly manna from heaven - just enough to be cooked or baked for each day and with a double helping that won’t go off for the weekend (which enables them to keep the sabbath). The trouble is, there is a lack of trust with this idea of being dependant daily on God, and some household are tempted to take and hoard more manna than they require during the week, whereby the stored manna became smelly and maggot infested by the next day!
Fast forward many thousands of years and again we are witnessing a lack of trust. This time, instead of manna, folk are being tempted to stock up on and hoard fuel for their vehicles, filling their tanks to the brim. Again, there is enough to go around if everyone were to take what they need, but human nature is to take matters in their own hands with the resulting chaos of shortages.
The Lord’s Prayer reminds us of our daily dependance on God, and his willingness to supply us with all we need. May we be encouraged not to panic, worry or hoard, and trust that God provides us all we need.
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon
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