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BE VIVACIOUS | BEVIVACIOUS.ORG
D A Y 1 | W H E R E I S M Y H O P E ?
S E C U R E Y O U R A R M O R
Then the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the Israelites’
complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have
meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread
you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your
God.’”
Exodus 16:11-12 NLT
Sometimes you just have to feel all the feelings. There’s no better example of this than in the
story of the Israelites found in the book of Exodus. From being held captive by Pharaoh to being
fed manna in the desert, the Israelites had a lot to say, feel, and think about their
circumstances.
In Exodus 14, they waded in fear as they walked on dry land through the parted Red Sea. Their
fear turned to praise in Exodus 15 as they worshipped God for their deliverance.
However, like you and me, that praise turned to pity in Exodus 16 as they grumbled about
their 1-star accommodations in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. Though they
were wandering, there was still a promise. What was the problem? I believe the grumbling of
the Israelites can be summed up in the good ole fashioned colloquialism, “If it’s not one thing,
it’s another.”
Any more than I can pretend to know what the Israelites were feeling as they waited in the
desert, I won’t threaten you with Christianese quotes that often hurt and not help. I will
merely ask you as you wait, “Has your mind spent more time today focused on the past,
present, or the future?
In my own life, I’ve felt the pain of heartache, but I’ve also walked through the process of
healing. Yet, as I wait on future promises, it is my thoughts that rob me of the gift of today.
When I focus on the past, my mind automatically goes to those painful moments. When I look to
the future, the fear of the unknown threatens my peace, so how can you and I enjoy today?
We can’t allow what seems hopeless, today, to rob us of remembering the good God has done
and the good He promises to come.
If you’re going to look back, remember the songs of praise the Lord put on your lips and rejoice.
If you’re going to look forward, be fully convinced, that what God has promised, He is able to
perform. Remember, the Lord is more faithful than the thoughts that limit the reach of your
faith.
Today can be filled with peace as we wait. Just as the Lord heard the grumbling and the
needs of the Israelites and came to their rescue, God will listen to your voice crying out to
Him. He will provide you with rest (quail) for the night and mercy (manna) for today.
R E F L E C T
Has your mind spent more time today focused on the past, future,
or present?
How can you begin to seek out what God is doing today?
F U R T H E R R E A D I N G :
E X O D U S 1 4 - 1 6 , L A M E N T A T I O N S 3 : 2 2 - 2 3 , P S A L M 2 3 : 3
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