"When the Israelites left Egypt, they were a huge
crowd: The Israelites moved on from Rameses to Succoth, about 600,000 on foot,
besides their dependents." (Ex. 12:37, MSG)
A more precise number is given in Numbers 1:45: "The
sum total of the People of Israel twenty years old and over who were able to
fight in the army, counted by ancestral family, was 603,550." (the MSG)
That is a lot of people. Walking through the desert,
it would be impossible to save everybody. The desert is harsh. There would not
be enough water or food. Also clothes would fall apart in such harsh elements.
Only a miracle could save them.
And a miracle it was!
"I took you through the wilderness for forty years and
through all that time the clothes on your backs didn't wear out, the sandals on
your feet didn't wear out." (Deut. 29:5 MSG)
This is a miracle. It shows that our Heavenly Father
cares for us!
"I'm going to rain bread down from the skies for you.
The people will go out and gather each day's ration." (Ex. 16:4 MSG)
Can we imagine having enough manna for so many people?
Yet our God did it. He even gave them meat: "That evening quail flew in and
covered the camp and in the morning there was a layer of dew all over the camp."
(Ex. 16:13 MSG)
God even gave them water to drink: "The LORD answered
Moses, 'Bring some of the leaders of Israel with you, and go to where the people
can see you. Take the staff you used to strike the Nile River. I'll be standing
in front of you there by a rock at Mount Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will
come out of it for the people to drink.'" (Ex. 17:5 GW)
The Israelites had everything they needed to survive
comfortably. If our God did this for the Israelites, He will do this today as
well: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the
door will be opened to you." (Matt. 7:7 NIV)
One day, while I was in the seminary, I was heading
with my car to the city. I was meeting someone to help them get to know our
Father.
When I left the city, I realized that when I arrived,
even if I drove fast, the cafeteria would be closed. I was hungry and wasn't
sure what to do. I heard my Heavenly Father tell me: "Go to the supermarket."
"But I have no money!" I said.
I parked my car in the parking lot anyway, and when I
stepped out of my car, there was 5 Swiss francs on the floor. I looked around me
to see if someone had lost it. My Heavenly Father said: "It is for you." I had a
good meal, and I came back to the seminary with a full stomach.
Our Heavenly Father can do this for you as well! He
can and will provide for you.
Experience the love of our Father!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.