Page 48 - Living Light Autumn 23

PRAYER FOR TODAY
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Monday October 23 - Look a little further
While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked towards the desert... glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. Exodus 16:10
The Desert Fathers were a group of third-century Christians who retreated to the Egyptian deserts for community and contemplation, becoming the pioneers of Christian monasticism. Whilst I was visiting Egypt with a friend, we decided to emulate the Fathers with a day of silence in the mountains behind the Valley of the Kings, Luxor. We walked further than anticipated, in burning desert heat, and soon we ran out of water (our only provision). Six hours from civilisation, we turned back, but my friend severely twisted his ankle. The romance of the desert was gone. Hungry, thirsty, and sunburnt, our needs cried out with every difficult step back.
Israel rejoiced at escaping Egyptian bondage and crossing the Red Sea, but very quickly the unforgiving desert hit back. They remembered the food they had in Egypt, accusing Moses of bringing them into the desert to die (Exodus 16:3). When in trouble, it is easy to allow our needs and subsequent fears to draw all our focus, not unlike Peter when he stepped out of the boat and saw the waves, causing him to sink (Matthew 14:30).
Jesus said that “If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22). Aaron spoke to the Israelites, and ‘they looked towards the desert’, but as they looked a little further, ‘there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud’ (Exodus 16:10).
Father, my needs are real, but please help me to look beyond my personal wilderness and see your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tuesday October 24 - Expressing our need
The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.”
Exodus 16:11-12
My old pastor used to say “miracles do not lead to faith”, and the story of the Israelites’ sojourn proves this conclusively! Imagine experiencing the plagues of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, seeing pillars of fire and cloud – and then lamenting that back in Egypt you’d had ‘cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic’ (Numbers 11:5)! In the gospel accounts too, the disciples witnessed Jesus performing miracles, feeding thousands, healing, and raising the dead – yet at his arrest, they all fled (Mark 14:50).
None of us know exactly how we will respond in extreme difficulties – whether bankrupt or bereaved, injured or having failed. Such experiences can produce out-of-character responses, when we even shock ourselves with thoughts, language and actions we didn’t think ourselves capable of.
The Lord said to Moses that he had “heard the grumbling of the Israelites” (Exodus 16:12). How much better if God had been able to say, “I have heard the faithful prayers of the Israelites”! We all have the potential to react badly, like the Israelites, leaving us feeling like a failure. Yet, look at God’s response: “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.’” (Exodus 16:12). God treats Israel as though they had been full of faith.
Father, my reactions do not always reflect you or what you hope of me. Please forgive me, and thank you for your grace and love in dealing with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY