Psalm 78:23-29

“Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.” vss. 23-24

The psalmist believed that the stories passed down about the wilderness experiences of Israel demonstrated the Lord’s faithfulness in every circumstance. Even when the newly freed slaves complained bitterly about the lack of water and food, the Lord did not respond in anger, but generously provided for all their needs. Not only did water spring forth from rocks, but the skies opened and manna, the bread of heaven, poured down like rain. The psalmist probably thought that if the people could be reminded of God’s goodness, they would reform their lives and live in grateful obedience. Of course it didn’t work that way–it never does! Too often the vivid lessons of the past are wasted on the children of tomorrow. They say that history is boring and irrelevant and then go on to repeat the tragic mistakes of those who have gone before. It’s enormously difficult to break out of that pattern, but thankfully, some do. They eagerly devour the stories of their ancestors, learn from them, and begin to walk in ways that make for justice and peace. That’s good news! But the best news is that God does not lose patience with us, but is always present to supply what we need for a good life. There really is no limit on our daily bread, no matter how foolishly we might behave.

Thought for the Day: What lessons has history taught me?

Exodus 16:9-15

“I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” vs. 12

As the Hebrews looked back on their time in the wilderness, their story centered on the ultimate graciousness of God. Even when they had complained to Moses and Aaron and wished they’d never been brought out of Egypt, when the Lord spoke through Moses there was an underlying word of grace. Even though their behavior had been despicable and provocative, they were given the meat and bread that they desired. We learn from this ancestral story that even when we’re at our worst we will be provided for. God doesn’t respond to our whining with punishment or abandonment. Even those who complain the loudest about their life conditions will be cared for–the bread of life is for all, even those who do not deserve it. Of course things don’t always work out as Moses thought they would. Even God’s gracious provision didn’t guarantee that the people would be faithful. In fact, it wasn’t long before they were complaining again. And so it has gone through the centuries! We are well taken care of, bounty is heaped on our doorsteps, and we still regularly respond with complaints. It really is a mystery how we can be so ungrateful while living in the land of plenty.

Thought for the Day: Why is God so patient with us?

Exodus 16:2-4

“The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’” vs. 3

When Moses led the Israelites into the wilderness of Sinai he knew what he was getting into. He had spent 40 years of his life there, herding sheep and goats for his father-in-law before he was called and sent to lead his people out of Egypt. He knew it was a desolate place and that water would be scarce. But he soon discovered that it was a lot easier leading sheep than it was people. The Israelites, accustomed to life along the Nile where food was plentiful, didn’t take well to the spartan wilderness conditions and regularly made their complaints known to Moses and his brother, Aaron. Of course it’s not only Hebrews who know how to complain, it’s a familiar habit of God’s people. Even people living in the United States, where there is more than enough of everything, spend an inordinate amount of time complaining! We live with the myth of the “good old days” and too many of us think that life would be so much better if we could go back in time. Maybe it’s the uncertainties of the present that spark the complaints. We worry about the future and forget that we’re on the way to the Promised Land, and our Shepherd will never desert us!

Thought for the Day: What was better in the “good old days”?

John 6:10-21

“Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.” vs. 11

When we read the feeding stories in the gospels we can’t miss the connections that writers are making with Holy Communion. In each account Jesus takes the loaves in his hands, offers a prayer of blessing, and then distributes them to the people. And they were satisfied! It’s the satisfaction that catches our eye. This bread was more than empty calories–it’s exactly like the bread distributed in the Eucharist. Always there is thanksgiving, but there’s also food for the soul! Oh how we’ve missed this ritual during the time of pandemic! Of course we can watch via Zoom and eat a morsel of bread from our pantry, or maybe a sanitized wafer packaged with a wine-like drink, but to have the bread broken and placed in our hands–wow, what a gift! We eat–and are satisfied! All the blessings of the Holy Meal flow into our bodies and we feel our hearts strangely warmed by the Real Presence of the Christ. No wonder Holy Communion is the central aspect of worship for so many! No wonder we’ve missed it so much! As we eat and drink we re-member Jesus and find the healing we crave for our failures and foibles. Good sermons and slick videos are a dime a dozen in these times, but nothing beats the eating and drinking of a shared Communion.

Thought for the Day: What brings me satisfaction in worship?

John 6:1-9

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” vs. 9

When Jesus asked the disciples where they could get food for all the people, they were incredulous. They didn’t see any way that it could be done. There were just too many hungry people. We know the feeling. We are besieged by agencies and organizations asking for help to feed the hungry people of the world, and most of us try to do something. We send generous gifts to Hunger Appeals and to Lutheran World Relief, and often act locally with donations to soup kitchens and food pantries. We take stories like this one from the gospels seriously, even as we wonder with the disciples what difference our gifts can make among so many hungry people. It’s what we do as followers of Jesus. It’s what believers have always done. We give our barley loaves and fishes and trust that the Christ who fills the world can use those little offerings to make a big difference. It would be nice if one day there would be no more hungry people, but until that happens we are called to put food on the table, not only for ourselves, but for all our sisters and brothers. There is plenty of food in the world for all to have daily bread, and it’s our calling to make that happen, no matter how long it may take!

Thought for the Day: If there’s plenty of food, why do so many go hungry?

Ephesians 3:18-21

“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” vss. 20-21

As Christ dwells within us we are being rooted and grounded in love–and that’s not just pious talk! In Christ the energy of the universe is working within us for good, and we can be more than we ever imagined, and receive more than we could ever think of asking for. While that power goes unused and untapped in far too many people we can be truly grateful for the countless persons who make no effort to rein in the love that dwells within and let it loose in the world for all to enjoy. We see them around everywhere we go, and in their eyes and in their touches we see and feel awesome acceptance and caring. They aren’t using the love power of the Christ to manipulate, or amass riches for themselves–all they desire is to bring joy and healing to others, and what a blessing they are! And what’s more amazing are those times when we join their number and allow the Christ love in us to be seen. On those days family members and co-workers are lifted up and blessed–and it feels good! We may never have dreamed that we could be agents of God’s love, but in Christ surprises abound, and we can be turned into lovers.

Thought for the Day: A time when my ability to love surprised me!

Ephesians 3:14-17

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.” vss. 14-15

For those who were accustomed to living under a patriarchal system it was very natural to think of God as “Father.” And although in our more egalitarian world the word seems limiting, we need to look beyond the usage to the underlying truth, which in this case is plain. Everyone of us, all persons on this earth, are a part of one family, and no one folk or nation of us has any claim to superiority or privilege. Unfortunately that’s not how we’ve lived! Instead particular races have clung to primitive and hateful notions of prestige and power, while judging and marginalizing others totally because of the color of their skin or their national origin. And what’s sadder still is that such notions have been internalized and passed on–as a result too many children have grown up with a sense of privilege based totally on race, and the lie has been perpetuated through successive generations. What a blessing it has been for followers of Jesus to lead the way in breaking down racial barriers and battling long standing injustices! There is simply no place in the human family for racial prejudice or gender discrimination. We are all one in Christ, and there are to be no distinctions, no matter how deep-seated or widespread they may be.

Thought for the Day: What prejudices have I discovered in myself?

Psalm 145:15-18

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.” vss. 15-16

The psalmist certainly had a benevolent view of God and credited the Lord for providing abundantly for every living thing. On the surface that’s a nice thought, and there are times when we will gladly echo those words of praise and thanks. And we should! There is gracious support for life of all kinds on this earth. But at other times we’re not so sure! Because of the vagaries of weather and fluctuating populations, sometimes there are famines and widespread starvation. Whole species of plants and animals become extinct–even the dinosaurs were not immune! And it’s not always because humans have messed things up, the extinctions were taking place long before we showed up! Because of such questions some might wonder about God’s benevolence and the connection between God and creation. Some of the difficulty comes from our tendency to think of God as being separate from creation, as though God is a being who daily does supply chain management for all living things. And that’s just not true! God is not separate from creation. God is all that exists–and more! That means that God is intimately present in the evolution of all things, the birthing and the dying and even the extinctions that are a natural part of existence. Nothing happens apart from God! And for that we give God praise and thanks!

Thought for the Day: What would happen if humans become extinct?

Psalm 145:10-13

“All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.” vs. 10

Even the most nationalistic of the psalmists knew that the kings of Israel and Judah, no matter how rich or powerful, were nothing when compared to the Lord of the Universe. National rulers may sputter and fume, strutting for the masses in their fifteen seconds of fame, but only God deserves our thanks and our blessings. It really is laughable to see how we humans boast in our momentary triumphs of technology and science–it’s almost as though we think we created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, as though we’re responsible for our own presence. All such notions are of course nonsense–we’re like the flowers and grasses of the field, here today and gone tomorrow. And yet we have the privilege to have existence on a planet that, so far as we know, is literally miraculous, specially designed to give us the best life possible. Every day, no matter what direction we look, we see the fingerprints of the Creator. It isn’t anything we could possibly replicate–and we get to live out our lives here and enjoy earth’s bounty as a gift! Can we do anything other than join the rest of creation in giving thanks? Surely it must be our first prayer every day!

Thought for the Day: What’s my first thought when I wake up?

2 Kings 4:42-44

“A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat.’” vs. 42

The giving of first fruits is standard practice for all those who have been touched by the Light of Christ. It’s a recognition that everything we have comes from God and is intended to be shared and not hoarded. That’s why offerings are a regular part of our worship, not as an obligation, but as an act of thanksgiving. They are an opportunity for not only supporting the mission of our congregations, but also a chance for us to reach out to the hungry of our world. It would seem that in a time of plenty there would be no hunger, but that’s not how it works. The changing climate coupled with the mass migrations of people fleeing oppression means that millions of folks need our attention and care. Most of us are connected in some way to agencies and organizations that are distributing food all across the globe, and those efforts need our regular and generous support. We have been showered with plenty, more than we can possibly use for our own needs. When we combine our gifts as communities of faith, it’s stunning the impact that we can have. The word of the Lord is clear–give to the people and let them eat!

Thought for the Day: What can I do to feed the hungry?