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A humbled and open heart are fertile soil for God’s seeds of wisdom. Establishing deeper roots requires analyzing God’s word to discover truths, values, and lessons for application to our lives. Periodically, a scripture or passage calls for further exploration, like Exodus 16:27-30
Now on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you [people] refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions (laws)? See, the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you the bread for two days on the sixth day. Let every man stay in his place; no man is to leave his place on the seventh day.” So the people rested on the seventh day.
Exodus 16:27-30 AMP
The book of Exodus is the second book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the bible). Exodus comes from a Greek word for “going out”; a fitting title for the book of how the Hebrew people exited Egypt.
In Chapter 16, we find the Israelites in the wilderness; wandering the Sinai desert. Two months removed from bondage in Egypt, the people were grumbling. They craved the food of captivity and made it very clear to Moses and Aaron they were hungry. God gives provision, manna and quail, via very specific instructions. The people are to collect and divide the provisions for six days and rest on the seventh. In verses 27 through 30, we find that some people still went out to gather and were unsuccessful. God spoke to Moses again to reiterate that Sabbath is a gift for man and that HE provides double on the sixth day as provision for the seventh day of rest. God stresses the importance of keeping His commands and instructions regarding Sabbath.
This exchange highlights some key points about rest. Sabbath is a commandment to rest by the Lord. Rest was designed for us and we should use it as an opportunity to honor God. Even though there were some Israelites that went out to gather on the seventh day, God did not punish them for their sin. God’s patience is on display here, despite disobedience.
God sent provision to the Israelites, even in advance for days of rest. God shows that His ways are not like ours and that we must resist the urge to lean on our own understanding. We must continue to seek daily instruction from God and abide by it.
How frequently are you accessing God’s daily bread?
Are you taking periods of rest to acknowledge God for His provision in the wilderness seasons of life?
If not, let me invite you to enter into His rest. The anxieties of life fade away when you realize that God is in control. He is working, even when you can’t see it. Praise God in the now with the security of knowing that He is working things for the good.
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I know that most people are in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, but December always reminds me to slow down and reflect. It’s something about the cold weather that forces me to cozy up and sit still… I believe the stillness opens
With a little over 30 days left in the year, it’s easy to put a pin in new ideas or projects until the new year. As tempting as enjoying the pause may be, there are some things that we have been called to do that require our action now. Spiritual callings require our steadfast attention, not temporary devotion when our schedules allow. In this season, the Lord has been challenging me to finish well.
In a culture that values purpose and spiritual gifting, it’s interesting how quickly we toss them to the side when we’re fatigued or distracted. We yield to the flesh instead of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We abandon how we show up out of convenience; missing opportunities to share the Gospel or be the hands and feet of Christ. Simply put, we fail to finish well.
El Roi. The God who sees me. When we talk about Hagar, we often refer to this tender exchange. This exact moment in the wilderness when she encounters God… when she accepts correction and instruction to return to a tense situation… when she receives the promise concerning the son in her womb… when she recognizes that she is seen and known by name. Yes, this is a pivotal moment, marked with such a significant name, and as I began to walk through Hagar’s story, to be seen, is so much deeper than watching someone visually.
“Are you going to try for another one?”
The ink on our marriage certificate wasn’t even dry before people began to ask when my husband and I were planning on having children. This seemingly innocent question was often met with ‘we don’t know’ outwardly, but inwardly it reinforced the shame of not being able to conceive a child.
I am the one in four.
If you or someone close to you is in need, we would be honored to lift you up in prayer. We believe in the power of prayer to bring peace, comfort, and reassurance during times of hardship. Our community is ready to join together and pray as we trust in God’s love and unending grace.
