Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Exodus 16:1-5
16 The entire Israelite community departed from Elim and came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt. 2 The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.”

 In the narrative of the Israelite nation in Exodus we see the Lord do some mighty works in and through His people. God promised He was going to free the Israelite people from captivity in Egypt and He did. In Exodus 14 He freed them and made a way of escape by parting the Red Sea for them to cross and filling it again as the Egyptians were chasing them. Isn’t that amazing? The Israelites were in awe, so much so that they worshipped in chapter 15. Now a month has passed since they had come into the wilderness and we find them grumbling at the leaders and upset they even had to leave Israel. 

How can a group of people who had seen the power of God in full display just a few weeks ago, have such short term memory loss? They literally saw the Red Sea parted and they walked across dry land with the water standing on each side of them. Now they were complaining about wishing they never left Egypt. They had quickly forgotten about the goodness of the Lord and what He had done. 

If we are to be honest for us as children of God we too can suffer from this “forgetfulness syndrome”. We have personally experienced the Lord work wonders in our heart and life, and soon afterwards when another moment of tension, struggle or uncertainty comes about in your life, you quickly turn to questioning the Lord and His goodness. Your attitude is affected, and even more importantly your faith is affected. 

I’ve learned the reason we fall victim to that forgetfulness is because our sole focus is on the moment of tension/struggle/uncertainty instead of it being on the Master. When our focus is on the Lord, though in the moment its not easy, you can confidently say that because God has worked in your life before, He can work in your life again, for He has never failed you! When your focus is on the Master, instead of choosing pessimism you choose praise. Instead of choosing grumbling you choose gratitude! 

The good news is that the Lord is forever constant. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, and He already had a plan to provide food and drink for them while they were in the wilderness. Do not be so quick to forget the goodness of the Lord and what He has done for you in the past just because in the moment things may be tough for you. Instead, choose today to rest in the Lord’s goodness, trust in His plan, and walk with Him!

SONG OF WORSHIP FOR TODAY: Do It Again- Elevation Worship

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your faithfulness. Help me to remember the goodness You’ve shown me in my life, and may that lead for me to trust in You in the now and in the future. In Jesus’’ name, Amen!

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.