by Lidia Kozenitzky, available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Effib
The past couple of weeks, I’ve started watching History Channel’s The Bible series, as it’s now available streaming on Netflix. Despite some (unnecessary) inaccuracies and a lot of (necessary) condensing and cutting of the story, it still touches me, maybe because I’m such a visual learner, to see biblical accounts I’ve read so many times come to life before my eyes.
Last night I watched the episode on Moses, and while I think I actually liked Prince of Egypt’s portrayal better in some ways, certain parts jumped out at me…including how the Israelites had to trust God not just once, but over and over. While Pharaoh stubbornly stiffened his neck through plague after plague. As the Angel of Death passed over and they had to take shelter under the lamb’s blood painting their doorposts. When they finally marched forward in freedom, only to face the spreading waters of the Red Sea—and Pharaoh’s army chasing after them.
Despite all the wonders they’d seen the Lord perform in Egypt, at that point the Israelites cried out, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?”
I’ve sometimes tended to think, “Oh, come on, Israelites! Didn’t you see all God just did to deliver you?” But I so easily do the same thing, forgetting God’s faithfulness in the past in panic over the present. Yes, I’ve seen His sovereignty and goodness over and over, in good times and hard. But when yet another test comes, I tend to cry out, “Really, Lord? Again? I thought we’d been over this already.”
But that’s when we know we have to rely on the Lord, every day and every minute. Which really, we have to all the time, whether we’re aware of it or not. I guess a better question for the title of this post would be, “When don’t you?”
As someone dear to me reminded me the other day, Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Not this week, or this year. Just this day. When the Lord sent manna for the Israelites, He only gave them enough for each day as it came. When they tried to gather more for “insurance,” it didn’t go so well.
I’m a slow learner when it comes to trust. I can think I’m doing well, and then some new complication or health problem or uncertainty or conflict blindsides me and sends me scrambling. Each new season, though it may bring wondrous and beautiful things I’ve long waited for and thought might never come, also opens up new unknowns and decisions, new opportunities to worry and fear and be dismayed . . . or to trust Him.
I tend to be better at the first three options than the last. But I’m trying to learn. And I hope when I am sent scrambling, it’s back to Him.
How about you? How is the Lord teaching you to trust Him right now, one day at a time? Are there any of His promises that help remind you and refocus your eyes on Him? Here are some I come back to again and again:
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matthew 6:33-34“Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”~Proverbs 3:5-6“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:10
