Thus Will I Test Them

You may not want to read this blog if your closet is so crammed you cannot find anything to wear: or if your garage so packed, the car does not fit in. Or, if your makeup drawer has makeup 10 years old, or you need signs directing you to the rooms of your house—in your house.

Or you still reading, good—for God may have a really important Word for you.

From Sunday’s reading, from Exodus 16
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.

How many of us heard in that reading, ‘gather their daily portion': or only what they need. How many of us thought of all the ways we store up, we live in fear of not having enough, or tomorrow’s needs? How many of us check that bank account daily, make sure the IRA’s are saving enough, and make sure our retirement is well planned. That is not bad—really for we need to be good stewards—but do we really trust and believe that our God will provide for our daily needs? Or, do we think like many folks, God helps those who help themselves (not found in the Scriptures by the way)

Consider this scripture however—Math 6 19-34 It starts with, “Do not store up treasures” and ends with “Do not worry about tomorrow.”

He sent the Apostles out with shoes they wore, the clothing they wore. But, hey, you say that is a different vocation/calling entirely. Agree, so just what part of God’s Words to we apply to our life—our calling to ‘come follow Me?’

Math 10, verse 38-39, Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.” "Finds his life--what did Jesus mean there? A life that we carefully built up, protected, so focused on perfection, that we are fearful of stepping outside the lines of responsibility where we fail to trust in anyone else but ourselves? I have seen this, people living in fear of being poor, growning older, or loving, afraid of being hurt--in the process they truly have lost the abilty to LIVE!!

Getting back to daily portions, considering how many times a day, I forget what I am after as I go from room to room, I knew that God was really speaking to my heart, AGAIN, about trusting more and more in Him, and believing that when I seek, ask, and come a knocking—He will help me find, give and open all the doors needed for my daily portion of needs, grace, gifts, strength, love, ---He will provide for me what is REALLY NEEDED in my life—and if I am wise—I will recognize what is unnecessary and even a hindrance in my spiritual walk with Him. Key WORDS---seek, ask, knock---or PRAY at every opportunity, unceasingly, with thankful heart for what we have, and not whine about what is not.

Time to look at what is clutter, contaminants, blockage, false gods, treasures that steal your joy; agendas that keep you stressed and frustrated---Just what is in your life that causes you to be like the Israelites in the desert. Whining, fussing, grumbling, griping, seeking other gods, complaining and yes even being ANGRY with God for His lack of caring for them. Come on, admit it, you have been angry for the way your life is going sometimes, haven’t you. I know I have.

It is time to remember once more His spoke Words to Moses—it is time to repent and to obey, trust in His love and grow in our faith.

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.

Let us do some deep thinking on this Scripture today, and seek God’s wisdom, and ask this question, “You talking to me God? Am I being tested?” If the answer is "Yes"--- rejoice and be glad for God loves you so much He will discipline you. As for myself, I have some rooms, closets, and the back porch to clean out—wonder if I may need to rent a trailer to haul bags off to the thrift store.