By Mason Harris
The Israelites had gained permission to leave Egypt, but Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued after them. And it is written concerning them, “they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord, because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, “Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians’! For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness” (Ex. 14:11-12).
Do you have problems? Is your task for today bigger than you are? Do you feel burdened? Instead of thinking about the bigness of the task, think on the bigness of the Lord and His ability to work through you to accomplish that which He assigns.
The Israelites made the mistake of thinking of Pharaohs strength, instead of the Lord’s. With a mild rebuke, the Lord told them to go forward. And He delivered Israel that day from the Egyptians, by parting the waters of the Red Sea and leading them through on dry ground. And when Pharaoh and his army were destroyed in the sea, the Israelites sang the song of deliverance.
So, if your burdens seem greater than you can bear, remember the Lord. He can help you. He was able to provide meat for the host of Israel in the barren wilderness; use the ravens to feed Elijah (hiring the great famine; multiply the oil to fill all the vessels the widow had faith enough to borrow; supply an abundance of food for a starving army in the besieged city of Samaria. Is there any doubt that He can help you?
About five thousand men gathered around Jesus. Philip said, “Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.” Andrew said,
“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” But Jesus demonstrated to them-and to us-what He can accomplish through us and for us if we will but trust Him. If today’s problems seem too big for you, remember the strength of the Lord and turn to Him.
TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 31, p. 2
June 7, 1973