MY GOD IS NOT TOO SMALL

In today’s One Year Bible reading in Numbers 10–11, the people of Israel had been on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land for over a year. The journey had been difficult, and the people were complaining. They were getting tired of the manna God had provided for their food, and now were whining for meat.

Moses was aggravated by their complaints, and expressed his frustration to the Lord. He felt the burden of leading the people was more than he could bear, and complained about the huge task God had given him. He prayed for a way out — “If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” (11:15) — but rather than a way out, God’s plan was a way through. God would not only meet Moses’ need for help in carrying his burden, but He would also respond to the people’s complaint about the lack of meat. (In fact, God promised to send so much meat that the people would grow tired of it!)

When God told Moses He would provide such a vast quantity of meat, Moses was skeptical. He didn’t see how the available resources of meat and fish would be sufficient to fulfill that promise. He doubted God’s ability to provide (despite having experienced God’s miraculous provision of food for over a year!). Simply put, Moses’ God was too small.

God doesn’t take kindly to having His character and ability questioned, and responded, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” (11:23). God’s word did come true — He provided 70 men to help Moses carry the load of leadership, and sent all the meat (in the form of quail) the people could eat.

This wouldn’t be the last time God would provide miraculously. He used ravens to deliver bread, meat and oil to Elijah (1 Kings 17), provided olive oil to a widow (2 Kings 4), wine for a wedding in Cana (John 2), and food for the 5000 and the 4000 (the Gospels).

I personally have experienced God’s provision in unexpected ways more than once: finances during a job loss, people to step in and do the work when I had to step aside, and — most recently — God’s protection and recovery of a stolen computer. In each instance, when I chose to trust God, I found that His arm has not lost its power — my God is not too small!

I’ve experienced the truth of Ephesians 3:20–21: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.” Amen!

I pray that this is true for you also!