Today is April 8.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Exodus, chapter 15.  
 

Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”  
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the LORD issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”  
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.  
 

This is an interesting Old Testament passage. It comes after the miraculous story of the rescue of the people of God from slavery in Egypt. They’ve just spent a good bit of time in worship and celebration for the amazing deliverance through the Red Sea. And then: into the desert they go. No water for three days. And so, it tells us... the people grumbled. Three days is a pretty short time to forget a miracle as defining as the crossing of the red sea. Are there things in your own own life: signs of grace of God, works of his power, that you have perhaps forgotten?  
 
What role does ‘grumbling’ play in your life? Maybe we call it cynicism these days. Or being entitled. Or critical. We grumble against one another, against leaders against family members, against pastors. What does all of that grumbling do to you? On the other hand, think about the role of thanskgiving, and of gratitude. Listen again to this passage and pay special attention to how it wraps up. The Lord tells them: I am the Lord, who heals you. And he places them beside quiet waters. Listen, and consider the state of your own heart: leaning towards grumbling, or towards gratitude? 
   
It is so easy to be distracted from the goodness of God in our lives. We forget that it is He who holds all things together – it is He who sustains us, who delivers us, and who refreshes us. Consider today your practices of gratitude and thanksgiving. When do you intentionally stop, move your attention toward God, and say thanks? Work at building times like that into each day... and right now: have a practice. Name things that come to mind that you may have forgotten come from God.   

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Music - You're Always With Us - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)