Day 12

The Lord Provides in the Wilderness

from the reading plan


Exodus 15:22-27, Exodus 16:1-36, Deuteronomy 8:3, John 6:47-51, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5


In 2020, I found myself in a tough spot. 

I wasn’t happy at my job, but I really wasn’t ready to leave either. Through a series of events, though, I had to make a decision. I could leave the company or move to a position I probably would have found less fulfilling. In other words, if I stayed, it would only be for a paycheck, not because I was working in my strengths or fueling my passion.

As I prayed about it, one phrase kept coming back to me: you haven’t lost anything yet. I kept hearing it over and over—and it seemed to get louder each time I heard it.

Honestly, I didn’t really understand what God was telling me. The one thing that did seem clear was that I needed to face my fears, drop my security blanket, and move on. So, with no soft landing spot and during the onset of a worldwide pandemic, I stepped out in faith.

After months of watching God provide, I finally figured out what “you haven’t lost anything yet” meant. God reminded me that I could step out because He had my back. He would provide. He would lead me to my next assignment. He would walk with me every step of the way.

I hadn’t lost anything because everything comes from His hand anyway. He already owned everything I needed and was more than ready to share. 

In Exodus 16, the children of Israel are in a tough spot.

They were marching through the middle of nowhere. Their food was running low, and their emotions were running high. And even though they had seen God miraculously transform bitter water into something drinkable (Exodus 15:22–27), faith was hard to come by. They were so discouraged that even slavery began to look good (Exodus 16:2–3).

That’s when God stepped in and, in so many words, told them, “You haven’t lost anything yet.” He challenged them to get ready because He would meet their needs in a way they could never imagine (vv.4–11). 

He started by sending bread-like rain. On top of that, He promised to send more meat than they could imagine. If they had any lingering doubt about God’s ability to provide, those concerns were put to rest by the abundance of what He shared. Those who needed a little gathered a little, while those who needed more gathered more (vv.17–18). Everyone had enough.

Sometimes, it’s hard to trust God when the answers to our questions aren’t right in front of us. We don’t like traveling without a map or performing without a net. Still, God guarantees He will meet our needs, including those we don’t even see yet. He will provide, and we can count on Him.

No matter where you are, you haven’t lost anything yet. 

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