Daily Devotion, September 1, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Exodus 16:9-12.

The enthusiastic song, “Be Our Guest!” from Disney’s movie, “Beauty and the Beast” comes to mind. This isn’t my usual connection, but the writing prompt I received said, “God acts as chef and waiter for the Israelites in the wilderness. When we serve the needs of others, we follow the example of our God.”

I smile pondering the song and God’s bountiful provisions for the Israelites’ journey. I imagine God speaking in a gentle voice in great contrast to Pharaoh’s voice, “Be MY guest! See how differently I will take care of you. You CAN trust me. I’m giving you my very best! I created you and I will provide for you and lead you into the Promised Land.”

With the first morning’s manna, I imagine hearing people's questions, “WHAT is it???” or “What is THAT???”. I imagine their debating,  “You try it first!”, “No, YOU try it first!” Perhaps they asked The Chef, “What’s your recipe?”

Verse 11, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites,’” stands out for me. God, full of compassion, has heard them, and will be the One taking care of them in the promise, “’At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread.’”

God is transforming the people. God is moving them beyond their former comfort zone under Pharaoh’s rule, to a complete trust in the God who has heard their cries all along. God provides. They can place their trust in the Lord their God and trust God’s leading. It is God who cares and will provide for them in such a way that they can even take a day of rest each week. God hears you and you can trust God, too. Our trust in God frees us to serve others.

Personal Worship Option:

Read these verses from John 6:32-35 and know that God offers you, Christ, the Bread of Life. “32 Jesus said to them, “’Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’”

34 “’Sir,’ they said, ‘always give us this bread.’”

35 Then Jesus declared, “’I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”