Responding to Difficult Situations
Delivering the people from Egyptian
bondage is only the first step in
God’s plan to bring the Israelites
to the Promised Land of Canaan.
Many obstacles lie ahead. Pharaoh
whose heart is again hardened,
sends his armies in pursuit of
Moses and the people. Trapped
between the Red Sea and the
rapidly approaching chariots,
the people cry out in desperation
and God answers miraculously.
The Red Sea parts and the nation
crosses over on dry ground. But
as supplies decrease, complaints
increase. When their resources
run out, God supplies manna,
quail and water in abundance to
show that He is now their reliable
source of supply. And Israel fights
and wins its first military battle.
Lord, we learnt from Exodus,
U heard the cries of the Israelites
and rescued them from Egypt.
But after crossing the Red Sea,
the Israelites became discontent
and started complaining. Lord,
Help us learn from the episode how
to cope with unpleasant situations.
Help us to Trust You & Take Action.
Help us to Approach U for Healing.
Help us Learn to Be Content. Amen
Lord, we’ll Trust You & Take Action:
Moses said to the people: Do not
be afraid. Stand still and see the
salvation of the Lord, which He
Will accomplish for you today.
The Lord will fight for you,
and you shall hold your peace.
And the Lord said to Moses:
Why do you Cry to Me? Tell the
children of Israel to Go Forward.
But lift up your rod and stretch
out your hand over the sea and
divide it. And the children of Israel
shall go on dry ground through
the midst of the sea (Exo 14:13-16)
Lord, help me understand while
waiting for a leading from you,
when it is time to take action.
Help me to recognise the answers
to my prayers when they come
in ways I was not expecting. And
let me know when it is time to stand
up and take steps of faith. Amen.
Lord, we’ll Come to You for Healing:
Now when they came to Marah,
they could not drink the waters
of Marah for they were bitter…
And the people complained against
Moses saying: What shall we drink?
So he cried out to the Lord, and
the Lord showed him a tree. When
he cast it into the waters,the waters
were made sweet… And He said:
If you diligently heed the voice
of the Lord your God and do what
is right in His sight… I will put none
of the diseases on u which I have
brought on the Egyptians. For I am
the Lord who Heals u (Ex15:23-26)
Lord, You are the one who heals.
I’ve needed Your healing & still do.
Heal me from fears, depression,
control issue & destructive ways.
Speak Your restoration into all
my wounds. And give me wisdom
to speak Your presence & healing
into the wounds of others. Amen.
Lord, we purpose to Be Content:
The whole community of Israel
complained: If only the Lord killed
us back in Egypt, they moaned.
There we sat around pots filled
with meat and ate all the bread
we wanted. But now you have
brought us into the wilderness
to starve us. (Exodus 16:2-3).
The Lord said to Moses: I have
heard the Israelites’ complaints.
Now tell them: In the evening you
will have meat to eat, and in the
morning you will have all the bread
you want. Then you will know that
I am the Lord your God (v11-12).
Lord, difficult circumstances often
lead to stress & we can only think
about escaping from the situation.
Forgive us for grumbling against
against You when You are providing
everything we need. And give us
a hunger for You the Living Bread
who satisfies the human soul.Amen