'Egypt' or God?

Numbers 11:4-5 (The Holy Bible, NIV Version)

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.

Our news headlines predict a global economic crisis which will affect us all.

When the famine comes, will you look back to 'Egypt' like the Israelites? Will you be under the illusion that there was "no cost" to your life there? Like my pastor said last Sunday, "Are you kidding? No cost?!" Yes, they had a variety of foods, but were 'brick-making units', slaves to a cruel Egyptian master. When the crunch hits you, to whom, to what do you turn? What is your Egypt?

When we launched our Imagine campaign at church to expand our facilities, we, as a congregation were challenged to respond in faith. Here is a snippet of one man's searching his heart:

"...to get right down to it, much of my "security" was wrapped up in the amount of money that was in the bank. It's easy to ignore this conviction, but I knew it in my heart. It was just UGLY to see it, that's all. This process has been monumental for us in dealing with whom we are going to trust. Is it GOD or money? I have no doubts that much of my own grief has come as a result of trying to control circumstances and not going to GOD first. Fearful and stubborn hearts go down hard..."

His 'Egypt' was his black and white bank statement. That he could 'see'. In the end, he chose faith, that which he could not 'see', but chose One whom he could trust. GOD. And God was faithful. See here to see how things turned out.

Yet another member, a burnt-out Ph.D student with no money decided to ask God how she should respond and God gave her an amount she pledged in faith. Next thing she knew she was in Africa for 6 months with Samaritan's Purse even though she had never had any involvement in missions. This was like "weird" to her. Next, she was invited to a World Health Organization forum, made a comment and left as a chairman of a new committee. Wouldn't you know it? Another invitation arrived, to a UN meeting on human development. Oops, she went into the wrong meeting room with private corps. and when they found out her 'experience' in Africa, invited her to give her perspective, her "Christian" perspective. When that ended, she found herself being applauded and thanked. Samaritan's Purse next offered her a job managing several international projects. Perplexed, she asked herself, "how is this possible...here I am, a Ph.D student, a single woman, not experienced, not equipped...what on earth is happening here...?" One word, GOD. See here for the full story.

Pastor Sunder closed the message with an exhortation to turn to God, for He longs to hear us and direct us:

Isaiah 30:18-23 (The Holy Bible, NIV Version)

18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"
23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows.

Will you turn to Him today?