May 1, Reading 1 – Numbers 11:4-35

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Complaints over hardships and difficulties and cravings for what we do not have and long for something different, mark the Church then and now. Complaints and cravings are corrosive of personal, family and church relationships. Moses words to the Lord (v. 21,22) are reminiscent of the disciples to Christ when He fed thousands.

SJA Notes

* Lord God, our eyes are toward You, in You we seek refuge – Please do not leave us defenceless!

“Oh that we had meat to eat!”

We might shake our head in wonder at the short-term memory of Israel.

It was only a moment ago that the Lord had consumed the outskirts of the camp in His wrath at their complaining.

And here they return to complaining about how good they had it in Egypt.

In Egypt! Where they were slaves, where Pharaoh was subduing them with great hardship, where only by the salvation of the Lord did they escape.

It can be easy to shake our heads, except that this behaviour is true of us too.

Our memory is broken, we forget so easily.

How often does the Lord show Himself to be a generous God, full of love and faithfulness – To Israel, and to us!

How often do we forget in a moment and return to our self-absorbed troubles, wearing unbelief and grumbling like a cloak?

Moses is infected here too. He has a hard time handling the people, and gets very self-indulgently upset. God’s response is a most wonderful (and fearful) reply to consider,

“Is the Lord’s hand shortened?”

The hand of the Lord is never shortened!

Remember the Lord! Remember His rescue out of Egypt. The walls of Jericho. David and Goliath. Daniel and the lion’s den.

Remember, remember, remember!

Remember the arrival of Jesus – His birthday, life, death and blood shed, for us. His resurrection and ascension.

Remember how He called us. Remember His work in our lives. Remember how much love He has shown us.

And remember our hope!

Remember God is preparing for us a place where He will dwell with us, we will be His people in all the fullness of His promises and plans.

Remember the Lord!

* Great God Above,

Thank You for all that You have done for us.

Please remind us each day, write Your word upon our hearts.

Amen.

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