~ To Find The Sunshine ~
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 11:58 pm
Numbers 11:1-6
1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.
3 And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
6 But our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
The Israelites murmured, “We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing… but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at. Numbers 11:5-6 (NRSV)
Oh no, I thought, I’m down with this illness, with many days to spend at home. I won’t be able to work or to meet with my friends or family. As this thought struck me, a wave of discontent seized me; I lay on my bead and murmured. Then, little by little, I found the positives in my situation. I was not in unbearable pain. My illness was not permanent or terminal sickness. I could read all the books I wanted to read. I had a comfortable home with a roof over my head and good food on my table. My friends and relatives continued to call regularly to check on me. My pastor promised to pray for me.
“Give thanks in all circumstances,” Paul tells us (1 Thess. 5:18). As I learned to follow this admonition, I discovered that even when ill I could use my time to pray, to reflect, and to grow closer to God.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for enabling us to see the positives in all our circumstances. We know that you can use even the unpleasant events in our lives for our good if we are open to the Holy Spirit’s voice. We are grateful to you for your eternal love. Amen.
Prayer Focus of Day: Those who are homebound.
Thought for the Day: Faith in God can turn a curse into a blessing. (See Neh. 13:2)
Story shared by: Anitha R. (India)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 1/5/12
1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.
3 And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
6 But our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
The Israelites murmured, “We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing… but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at. Numbers 11:5-6 (NRSV)
Oh no, I thought, I’m down with this illness, with many days to spend at home. I won’t be able to work or to meet with my friends or family. As this thought struck me, a wave of discontent seized me; I lay on my bead and murmured. Then, little by little, I found the positives in my situation. I was not in unbearable pain. My illness was not permanent or terminal sickness. I could read all the books I wanted to read. I had a comfortable home with a roof over my head and good food on my table. My friends and relatives continued to call regularly to check on me. My pastor promised to pray for me.
“Give thanks in all circumstances,” Paul tells us (1 Thess. 5:18). As I learned to follow this admonition, I discovered that even when ill I could use my time to pray, to reflect, and to grow closer to God.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for enabling us to see the positives in all our circumstances. We know that you can use even the unpleasant events in our lives for our good if we are open to the Holy Spirit’s voice. We are grateful to you for your eternal love. Amen.
Prayer Focus of Day: Those who are homebound.
Thought for the Day: Faith in God can turn a curse into a blessing. (See Neh. 13:2)
Story shared by: Anitha R. (India)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 1/5/12