How often do we not only acknowledge God's wonderful works, but ask Him to be present in the day, in every moment, whether good or bad? I watched a video from Ascension Press yesterday that struck me. It can be difficult to have a consistent prayer life, or taking those five minutes to appreciate God working in our lives. Life gets busy. However it is through God that we have this busy life, and everything that we go through happens because it is His will. This video mentions how we need to ask God to be present, to offer our sacrifice, whatever that may be, and to accept whatever is to come. Ask, offer, accept. I tried this today, in all of the little things I grumble about, work, lack of sleep, and it really makes a difference in your attitude, how you feel, when everything is offered to God.
Today's First Reading states:
'The Children of Israel set out from Elim, and came into the desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. Here in the desert the whole assembly of the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The children of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!" Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. On the sixth day, however, when they prepare what they bring in, let it be twice as much as they gather on the other days." Then Moses said to Aaron, "Tell the whole congregation of the children of Israel: Present yourselves before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling." When Aaron announced this to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, they turned toward the desert, and lo, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud! The LORD spoke to Moses and said, "I have heard the grumbling of the children of Israel. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God." In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. On seeing it, the children of Israel asked one another, "What is this?" for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat"' (Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15).
Today's reading talks about how the Israelites doubted Moses, doubted God. They doubted God's ability to provide for them and deliver His promises. They grumbled over their freedom from Egypt after all God was working to provide for them. In the end, they complain enough that God responds and provides them with food, as He loves his people. However, this grumbling becomes a pattern, driving the people away from God time and time again, even after all He does for them. They are not people believing God is in their daily lives. Do you ever have these days, where you grumble through the tasks of the day, never asking God for help or thanking God for providing and being in your life. Try it this week. Ask God to be present, offer your tasks to Him and accept what comes from them, and see just how good life can be.
Today's prayer comes from '93.8 FM the Word' a prayer for guidance:
Lord, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the day and all it will bring my way. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child and Your representative to the world around me. Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
