Finding Hope in the Arms of God
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today as I read Luke 9:13, The saying of Jesus and my thoughts jumped to Exodus 14:15, The saying of God.
I want to address those of you who may be struggling with faith and trust in God. It’s not uncommon to have moments of doubt or uncertainty, especially when faced with difficult situations as my wife and I face now! But I am here to remind you and myself of the incredible power of faith and the importance of trusting in God’s guidance and provision.
In the book of Exodus, we find the story of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. They had witnessed astonishing 10 miracles (plaques), yet when they found themselves trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the sea, fear and desperation gripped their hearts. They cried out to Moses and to the Lord for help. In that moment, God spoke to Moses and said, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.”
This verse, my brothers and sisters, holds a valuable lesson for all of us. It teaches us that even in the face of seemingly impossible situations, we should trust in God’s guidance and move forward in faith. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or trapped at times, but remember that God is with you, and He can make a way when there seems to be no way. Take a pause and look back to see all the blessings you have received and answered prayers. Have faith, my brothers and sisters, and trust in His wisdom and guidance.
In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter another powerful story. Jesus is teaching and ministering to a large crowd of people over 5000 men not counting women and childrens. As evening approaches, the disciples suggest sending the people away to find food for themselves in the middle of wilderness. But Jesus challenges them by saying, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples, feeling inadequate with only five loaves and two fish, couldn’t fathom how they could possibly feed the multitude.
Yet, Jesus encourages them to offer what they have and trust in God’s provision. They step out in faith, and what happens next is nothing short of miraculous. The five loaves and two fish multiply, and the multitude is fed abundantly. This story reminds us that even when we feel limited or lacking, we can still offer what we have to God. He can take our meager offerings and multiply them beyond our expectations.
So, my dear friends, if you find yourself lacking faith or trust in God, I urge you to reflect on these stories. Let them inspire you to have faith, even in the face of challenges. Trust in God’s guidance and provision, knowing that He can make a way where there seems to be no way. Offer what you have, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, and trust that God will multiply it.
Remember, my dear brothers and sisters, faith is a journey, and there may be moments when doubt creeps in. But in those moments, hold on to the stories of Moses’ desperate situation and Jesus’ disciples. Let their experiences remind you of the power of faith and the miracles that can unfold when we trust in God. Begin to trust in God/Jesus in the small matters in your life to build faith that can move mountains, part the sea and feed the hungry.
May your faith be strengthened, and may your trust in God’s guidance and provision be unwavering. Trust that He is with you every step of the way, ready to lead you forward and multiply your offerings beyond your wildest dreams.
God bless you all.
To ponder:
Consider the paradox: despite God’s direct intervention through ten plagues upon the Egyptians, the chosen people remained unconvinced of God’s ability to deliver them from worldly challenges. Why did doubt persist even in the face of such divine demonstrations?
This skepticism contrasts with the New Testament narrative account of Jesus miraculously feeding 5000 men. How does the belief in God’s saving power differ in these instances, and what insights can be gleaned from these contrasting perspectives on faith and divine intervention?