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Do you ever think about when the Israelites
were delivered from Egypt? We tend not to think about what must have been
involved when God delivered them. Conservative estimates place the number
of Hebrews who left in the exodus at around two million! That's the
equivalent of the entire city of Houston, Texas. We also tend to forget
that these people were on the move for nearly forty years. Imagine the
needs that must have accompanied this massive migration!
And yet, we never read about an Israelite
dying for lack of provision. Disobedience, yes, but not lack of
provision. That's because they enjoyed the "Father factor." As
this multitude trudged through the wilderness year after year, they were
always accompanied by God, who presided over them as a faithful father.
"And
I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn
out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. You have not
eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or similar drink, that you may know
that I am the LORD your God."
- Deuteronomy 29:5-6 NKJV
He saw that all their needs were met, and in
the verses above we're told that part of His provision was to keep their
clothes and their sandals from falling apart!
I love this about God. He can cover our needs
by stretching out the lifespan on things that we already have. I know
this firsthand. I have a van with well over 250,000 miles on it. The
thing just won't quit, not because of the manufacturer, but because God's
hand is on that vehicle and it's going to run as long as He wants it to .
. . period.
But you also need to know that I am a faithful
giver, and I believe the two are connected. For when we do our part to
give, even if it means sacrificing something new for ourselves, God often
keeps us from needing new things. It's important we understand this
because it helps to free us up when God calls us to give. And if He can
handle the needs of two million Israelites over the course of forty
years, as well as run the universe at the same time, I think He's got our
needs more than covered.
Curtis
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