As I have recently observed some human behavior, and empty grocery shelves that have been a result of this behavior, I am reminded of a Biblical story from the book of Exodus.

After being rescued from Egypt, the Israelites were grumbling about being hungry during this time in the desert. God heard their grumbling, and decided to give them a little test as He provided their needs. And, the test involved seeing if the hungry Israelites would follow His instructions.

So God sent word through Moses and Aaron that He would provide meat in the evening at twilight, and bread in the morning. They were specifically instructed to gather only the amount that was needed to feed their family for one day. However, on the sixth day of the week, they were to gather enough food for two days, as meat and bread would not be sent on the Sabbath which was a holy day of rest.

The people who followed God's instructions had plenty to eat each day. Just as God had promised, quail came and covered the camp in the evenings, and thin flakes of bread called manna covered the ground in the mornings.

It may sound vaguely familiar that some of the Israelites decided to gather more than they needed, and tried to hoard food for the days ahead. But, there was no hiding the extra meat because, by morning, it was full of maggots, and was stinking up the camp. But, when they followed God's instructions to gather food for two days on the sixth day of the week, there were no smelly maggots present in the meat on the Sabbath.

Apparently, the hoarding Israelites did not learn their lesson from the spoiled meat, as some of them went out on the Sabbath to gather food. But, just as God had said, there was no food to be found on the holy day of rest.

This is where my ever pondering mind travels back to the present.

God has promised to supply all of our needs according to His riches. And, He owns it all! So there is no reason to panic or worry that our needs will not be met in the days ahead. If God decided to test us as He did the Israelites, I am imagining hoarded food spoiling, and excessive rolls of toilet paper just disintegrating on shelves in homes.

It is not my intent to be critical, or to make light of a serious situation during some days that feel very unsettling and uncertain. I have no doubt that much of the recent behavior is rooted in fear. And, that brings to this musician's mind a verse from an old hymn of the faith: "Fear not, for I am with thee, O be not dismayed. For I am thy God, and I will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee and help thee, and cause thee to stand upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

Omnipotent means that God has unlimited power. Just as He fed and protected the Israelites in the desert, He will do the same for us during this "desert season" of our lives. He has promised never to leave or forsake us. And, the God that I know is ever faithful to keep His promises. Yes, every time.

He is with us, even on days when we feel lonely and afraid. Watch for His presence and provisions. And who knows... You may catch a glimpse of meat at twilight, and manna in the morning!

Philippians 4:19 - "But my God will supply all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Guest columnist Jill Coy is a resident of Cramerton, North Carolina.

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What the Bible tells us about hoarding - Gaston Gazette