-- Numbers 11:22-23 (NKJV)
It can be easy to get distracted from how good and faithful God truly is.
The story goes like this: The Israelite people departed the desert of Sinai after two years, two months and 20 days of living under God's freshly-dispensed law. They were bound for the promised land, but their thoughts quickly turned back toward the time of their bondage in Egypt.
They craved meat and remembered things like the "fish" and "cucumbers" (of all things) they ate in Egypt. What they didn't seem to remember was the sting of the taskmaster's whip on their back while they attempted to make bricks without straw.
So Moses pleaded with God for a solution to his suddenly finicky flock and God promised that He would bring them meat -- so much that they'd eat it until they couldn't eat anymore, to the point where they became physically ill from it.
Moses' response? He asks God where in the world all that meat is supposed to come from.
Keep in mind he's asking this while his people are outside gathering manna. You remember manna, right? That strange seed-like substance that tasted like honeyed-pastry?
Here he was before the Lord, imploring a solution to his people's complaint that they were tired of the substance that miraculously fell every night in just the right amount to feed a nation of 600,000 plus for over two years. And he asked where the Lord would find the meat to feed them.
God's answer, as always, is perfect -- and applicable to our lives today.
"Has the Lord's arm been shortened?"
These people had seen things too incredible to even imagine. They'd walked in faith across the dry land on the sea floor while a pillar of cloud and fire led them. They'd seen water enough for an entire nation spew forth from a dry rock. They'd trembled in fear at the foot of the mountain while God's presence manifested itself in thunder, lightning, smoke and trumpet call.
And Moses wondered if God could find enough meat for a month.
Moses' theme repeats itself after Jesus feeds the 5,000. A short while later, with fewer people (4,000) and even slightly more bread and fish, the disciples ask Jesus where they'll ever find enough to feed the crowd.
It's not that we forget the miracles. It's that we tend to let a future unknown outweigh the past experience.
How many Moses moments do we have today? Do we discount the miraculous deliverance we've been blessed with because the latest trial seems so big? Do we allow whatever is facing us presently to dwarf how exceedingly good God is? Does falling into a daily pattern cause us to look past how truly extraordinary this relationship with God is?
I know I am guilty of it. I suspect most everyone is at some point, to some extent.
When you run into that trial today -- this week, this month, whenever -- ask yourself: "Has the Lord's arm been shortened?"
Don't make the mistake of putting a God in a box. He is bigger and greater than our minds can even fathom. And for all His might and wonder, don't forget His love matches the size of every other aspect of His being.
Jesus says He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
He's the only future we'll ever need to know.
His arm is strong enough, and long enough, to carry us through anything.
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"... I will redeem you with an outstretched arm ..." - Exodus 6:6
"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. " - Deuteronomy 33:27a
"The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." Isaiah 52:10
"The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it." Acts 13:17.
What I'm Reading Now: Revelation, Numbers, Luke, Proverbs, Psalms
I never considered this before that His shortened arm is a reference to what He has already done. Thank you for the insight. What a blessing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an encouraging way to start my morning! Have a blessed day. <><
ReplyDeleteThe Lord spoke something similar to me in my devotions recently:
ReplyDelete"Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."
Psalm 116:7
I'm ashamed of how easily I forget His mindful provision and protection of me...and particularly blessed and comforted when He reminds me of what He's done for me and who He's been to me. What a good God!
Rock on, Brother!
April! I have been looking for that very verse for nearly a year! I knew the basic idea, but didn't know the exact words, or what book it even came from. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHmm, this is your brother. Just in case you didn't know. That's what I get for trying to be tricky and replace my user name with a scripture reference.
ReplyDelete