Page 47 - Living Light Autumn 23

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Kevin Shaw and are based on Exodus 16:10-19 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Genesis 45:16-28
10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked towards the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.
11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”’
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to
each other, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: “Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.”’
17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
19Then Moses said to them, ‘No one is to keep any of it until morning.’
Sunday October 22 - Needy and confused “What do you want me to do for you?” Mark 10:51
This week we are exploring the provision of God and how he fed Israel in the wilderness. Provision implies a need, and as humans we feel our needs deeply. Our bodies cry out for water and food, or for sexual expression, whilst also feeling the pain of illness, injury, or dying. Our minds burn with the need to know, to understand, to have relationship, whilst also experiencing anxiety, fear, or mental illness. Running through all of these are spiritual needs – the need for meaning and purpose, a sense of connectedness, peace, joy, redemption, and hope. This need for meaning can also appear as existential angst – that life is meaningless, without a saviour, a future and, perhaps worst of all, the fear of hell.
It’s not surprising then that a growth industry is that of mind-body-spirit self-help services. Books, courses, social media pages and groups offer products and activities to meet your many needs. There are diets, spiritualities old and new, exercise regimes, therapies, oils, and incenses, all claiming to meet your deeply felt needs. It is confusing to know what to choose!
Amid all this, the quiet voice of Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). The bad news is, we don’t always know what we need. The good news is that he who asks already knows, and has provided for your every need.
Father, I come to you and respond to Jesus’ question by throwing my hands up, saying, “You know, Lord – here I am!” Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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