Too Needy to Receive

Exodus 17:1-7 “Water from the Rock”

     The Israelites spent a lifetime in the desert, and they never missed an opportunity to gripe about the unfavorable conditions. After God had miraculously delivered them slavery through the ten plagues (Exodus 12), miraculously saved them from Pharaoh’s army by parting the Red Sea (Ex. 14), and miraculously kept them from starvation with daily supplies of manna and quail (Ex. 16), the chosen people still had an ungrateful attitude. They continued to worry and complain that God could or would not meet their needs. So God supplied yet another miraculous sign of His faithfulness: water from the rock.

     Sometimes I wonder if the Israelites’ eyes were blind to the seemingly obvious phenomena that the Lord used to display His power and protection. I mean, how fantastic would it be to have God show you exactly where and when to go with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13)? Christians these days would give an arm and a leg to receive such clear and wondrous guidance. I think most of us are under the impression that God doesn’t do miracles anymore, not like the ones we read about in the bible. But is it possible that we’ve surrounded ourselves with so much other junk that we are totally blind to His signs, just like the Israelites were?

     There have been plenty of instances when I agonized and despaired over circumstances that were out of my control, and every time the Lord made a way through it. My needs were met when I didn’t think it was possible. I’m glad that I’ve been able to recognize them as little miracles in my own life, but I want to become more aware of God’s provision. I want to put complete trust in Him and rejoice in His blessings. When I think about it, my heavenly Father has poured water from many rocks for me.

Thank you, Father, for the ways in which you command my attention. Teach me to look for them and expect them. Teach me to trust you. Show me your plan in a radical way. Amen.

Chump Change?

Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4 “The Widow’s Offering”

I’m starting my quest for Obedience to God. This morning it began with something very simple that in some ways was also difficult: giving away spare change.
     Every year our church receives empty baby bottles from a local pregnancy center that we are supposed to fill with money that will go towards preventing abortions. In the past I’ve looked at the empty bottle and subconsciously reacted, “I want to help save babies. But I can’t afford to give away my spare change. That’s our tiny savings for a rainy day. Someone else’s easy $10 will do more good than my sacrificial $7.52.”
     What I realized today was that I needed to embrace these opportunities to give; I needed to be excited about them and do everything I could to help in Christ’s name. So I promptly took out my recycled yogurt container of loose change and let the kids fill the bottle with coins while I explained that the money would “help teach ladies how to take care of the babies in their tummies.”
     And I recognized the necessity not only of giving, but of sharing with my boys a legacy of giving and the attitude of a willing heart to do the Lord’s work.

     The story in Mark and Luke of the widow offering her only two copper coins in Obedience to God encouraged me to give my own coins – a meager quantity that would look like chump change to a lot of people (in this country) but means quite a bit to me who has little to offer.

     And instead of worrying what I would be unable to buy with those few dollars, I found excitement and blessing in my heart as the Spirit taught me to rejoice in the potential glory it would bring to the Father. I found myself praying for the precious mother and baby whose lives might be changed by the $7.52 (or however much) I sacrificed out of Obedience.

O Lord, what wonders you can do with even less than that! Thank you for allowing me, your humble servant, to be a part of your amazing Plan. Keep my eyes and heart open to discover more opportunities to Obey you. Amen.