January 26, 2026 - Exodus 16-18

In the wilderness, “the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness [and] said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger’” (16:2-3).   So, what did the Lord do?  He gave the people bread and meat so that, as Moses explained, “At evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt” (16:6).  And, later, when there was no water, the people complained, again, and the Lord gave them water from the rock.  That is, every provision and every blessing they, and we, have is from the Lord.  And perhaps most amazing is that God continues to bless us even when we are ungrateful and complaining (not to suggest that we can constantly complain and expect our days to go well)!  Aren’t we glad that God’s grace and mercy exceed our discontent and complaining!

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,

though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,

yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,

the promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;

from them let us learn to trust God for our bread.

His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied

so long as ‘tis written, “The Lord will provide.”   --John Newton (1779)