THE BREAD OF LIFE
The excitement of escape from slavery was over. Out in the desert, hunger pangs began. Israelites cried out in suffering, complaining to Moses and Aaron in desperate fear of the future. In this wilderness, they felt very much alone, far from God.
Moses said their complaints were against God. What a frightening thought Would God strike out and zap them, turn away, and leave them on their own?
In hours of anguish, I have cried out in desperation. When I was a child, I was told never to complain about God, never to question divine purposes. Don’t even think it, they said. So I clammed up before God, frozen in fear.
Then I found the Israelites in Exodus and discovered God’s grace. The Israelites cried and complained. God listened and heard the hunger of their hearts. God understood and said, “Come. Draw near to the Lord.” He cared and provided what they needed: bread for their journey, the meat and manna, the sustenance and support that they needed for each day.
We realize we cannot go out on our own, and we recognize our need for God. We cry out. In the midst of our cries of complaint, we grow closer to God. We accept the invitation to draw near. We hold out our hands for the Bread of Life, and open our hearts and minds for the words of grace. And God gives us what we need to live each day – hope, strength, and love that never ends.
O God of grace and glory, we come to you for all we need. Give us this day our daily bread, we pray, that we will be sustained with you and by you in our journeys of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sally Fahrenthold, retired pastor
