Love That Never Fails

22. Ask and It Will Be Given

Covid-19 has changed the world in so many ways and it looks like we will not ever be the same again! At the peak of the health crisis, amid long periods of isolation, it was interesting to see how people became more tolerant of one another as together communities faced the virus head on. Crisis often brings out the best in people but coming out on the other side can be an entirely different experience!

In the aftermath of the high after crossing the Red Sea and being delivered from the Egyptian army, the Israelites initially praised God for all He had done for them. However, it wasn't long before they began to complain, when it seemed their needs were not being met. How quickly they forgot the awesome power of God in holding back the sea so they could walk to safety!

"Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. ) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink."
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:22-25‬a NIV‬‬

Isn't it amazing how God made a way to quench their thirst, taking something bitter and useless and turning it into life giving water!  We are so blessed to be able to look back and see how God took care of our needs in the midst of the pandemic but now the test appears in the aftermath. Many people will be finding that they are in a financial desert where they have lost jobs or face great uncertainty in their business.  Are you wondering how to get through this time? Do you feel fear arising as you look for a job and continually adjust your lifestyle in order to stay afloat?

We can be sure that God is very interested in our current situation and is waiting for us to call out to Him just as Moses did.  As we put our trust in Him, He can transform what little we have, into more than enough! Notice that after calling on God for help, the people end up in a place of great abundance:

"Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water."
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is waiting for us to ask for what we need. He is also examining our hearts as He did with the Israelites:

"He said, "If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.""
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Doing what is right in the Lord's eyes is still important even though we are living by grace, not under the law.  Ask God to help you with this. Why not bring before Him some of the needs you have at this time? You can have confidence that God hears you and will supply all Your needs:

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for bringing us through the pandemic so far and for the great things that came out of this time of crisis.  As we move on though, it is into a very different society. Our nation has already begun to feel the effects of recession and there is so much uncertainty.  With many businesses doing it tough, it is so easy to start to grumble and be fearful that my needs will not be met. Thank You for this story and the way I see You meeting the needs of Your people. I am thankful for Your Word which reminds me to:

""Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.