The Same God Who Provided for the Israelites Will Provide for Us

When I decided to quit my job without having another one lined up, I was filled with so many mixed emotions. On one hand, I knew it was the right decision, too much stress, anxiety, and lack of communication had built up to the point where I simply couldn’t do it anymore. But on the other hand, I felt afraid. How would I make ends meet? How would I support my family? These questions swirled around in my mind every day, and I didn’t have all the answers.

I prayed so much about this decision, seeking guidance from God. I even spoke with my priest, who gave me simple but profound advice: “Pray, listen, and whatever God shows you, be obedient.” And that was the hard part. I didn’t listen right away. I wrestled with the decision, asking God to give me a sign, but I wasn’t open to hearing His voice as clearly as I should have been.

Finally, after months of prayer and reflection, I felt that tug on my heart. I knew I had to be obedient and trust God with this leap of faith, even without something waiting for me on the other side.

It wasn’t an easy decision to make, and if I’m honest, I’ve felt a lot of anxiety since then. There have been moments where I’ve questioned whether I made the right choice, and worry creeps in about what comes next. But as I continue to pray and surrender my fears to God, there’s a sense of peace that I can’t explain. It’s not the kind of peace that comes from having all the answers, it’s the kind of peace that comes from trusting God, knowing that He will provide, even when the future feels uncertain.

Yesterday, as I was praying and surrendering all my worries to God, I found myself thinking back to how God provided for the Israelites in the desert. He gave them manna from heaven, He gave them water, and He took care of them for 40 years in a way they could never have imagined. Now, I’ve read this passage over and over again, a dozen times, and for some reason, I remembered the manna coming down from heaven, but I couldn’t remember how He provided the water.

I remember saying to myself, “How did He provide the water? Lord, I forgot how You gave them water, but anyways, I know You will do the same for us. I trust You.” 

Then, this morning, at church, the reading was from Exodus 17:3-7—the very passage I had been thinking about just the night before. The Israelites were complaining, grumbling against Moses, asking why he had brought them out of Egypt only to die of thirst in the desert. And when Moses cried out to God, God told him to strike the rock with his staff, and water would flow. And sure enough, Moses did just that, and the water came.

I couldn’t help but laugh to myself, sitting there in church. How amazing is our God? I couldn’t remember the details the night before, but God answered me in the exact way I needed. It was as if He was saying, “I’m here. I’ve got this. You don’t have to worry.”

I know that this season will have its challenges. There will be moments where I don’t know how we’re going to get by, but what I do know with all my heart is that the same God who provided for the Israelites in the desert will provide for me and my family. He will open doors I’ve been praying for, because this is the season I’m meant to walk in. And the most beautiful part? I am not walking alone. God is with me, guiding me every step of the way.

Lord, thank You for the peace that surpasses all understanding, and for Your unwavering faithfulness. I trust that You will provide for me and my family in ways I can’t even imagine. Even when the way ahead feels uncertain, help me to trust You completely. You are the same God who provided for Your people in the desert, and I know You will provide for me, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.