The people spoke against God; they said, Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Can God provide bread for his people? That is the same question that people are now asking in this time of deep economic recession.

   The question comes out of the Psalms, in the form of a ballad. Psalm 78 was meant to be sung at gatherings where everyone knew the tune.  I am sure that ancient Israeli’s knew it by heart and sang it, too. Just as we sing ballads about love or heartbreak – which are now even being done “hip-hop” style.

    The experience arose out of the Exodus journey. The Psalmist wrote of how God had been steadfastly faithful, but the people griped all the more. The more they griped, the more God sought to comfort them and to meet them at their point of need.  It’s kind of strange, actually. God met their ingratitude by opening up the windows of heaven and showering blessings upon them; but it never seemed to be enough.

Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Can God still provide bread for his people? 

    Why is it when God has provided for us so richly in the past, we are now in doubt whether or not God can provide for us in the future? 

      A lot of people are feeling the pinch. It is not difficult to feel the anxiety in the air. Those in the construction trades are very worried about how to make it through till Spring. And they’re worried about what that Spring might bring.  Add the anxieties of those in the automotive business, or restaurant business, or the banking industry. You can touch any sector of the economy and hear the same worries versed.  Even the commercials at this year’s Superbowl are bound to be reruns.

    How long will this crazy economic roller-coaster ride last?  It’s hard to say; at this point, no one knows. The real question for us to be asking is not how long this will last? Or, how much will I lose of my assets? Or even, will I be able to retire, or must I have a job until I drop over?

  The real question we all should be asking is this: Why do we trust the market? It’s a tool – it’s not a god! We utilize the market with wisdom and intelligence; but the market is not a god.

   Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Can God provide bread for his people? Well — what does faith tell us? And what does our relationship with God in times past have to say to us?

    Why is it when God has provided for us richly in the past, we can sometimes doubt whether or not He can provide for us in the future?  Here then is the real issue for us: When we turn away from God and focus on the things that God has provided, it often causes us to live in unbelief. Our unbelief actually becomes what we then will trust.

    We fail to look at God’s provision in the past to help us trust Him today for His provision for the future. But God has always provided for us – which is exactly what the writer of Psalm 78 is trying to tell us.

    So, take a minute. Look back. Hasn’t God always met you at the point of your need? Hasn’t God been there, providing daily bread and so much more? If you just look and remember, you will not find it hard to recall just how good God has been in providing for you.

   Our culture has persuaded us that we need so much more than what we have. It has taught us to spend, spend, spend and never count the cost – the real cost. It has whispered in our ears the great lie – that we do not have enough and we need so much more. It has made us jealous of some; envious of others. It has caused our hearts to shrink in size from that generosity which is a mark of a true disciple of Jesus.

   Look at where our culture has led us: to a place of fear, anxiety and in some cases, panic.   What a great country is ours! We are born from a dream – a dream we have yet to realize. The Church is that one place in the community where we can not only speak a prophetic word, but live it out, as well. The word is: God reigns and not that marketplace.

   So, even if you have to live with less – even if you have to tighten the belt, if you look to God in faith, not only will God provide all of your needs, God will give you peace. And God will help you to enjoy and appreciate all you have and you’ll not worry over what you don’t have.

    The Church is the place where we can get off that roller coaster. In worship, you remember that the God who created you loves you. In church we remember that Someone bigger than Dow Jones, wiser than the Wall Street Journal and greater than any financier or portfolio is in charge. Our music and hymns remind us that Jesus’ presence is constant. In our Bible, stories about troubled people remind us that God walks with us, too and is loving us through your troubles. Worship is your seat in God’s house, to sit peacefully and know that God is God.

   Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Can God provide bread for his people?  This Bread and this Cup provide the answer.  Here, especially, the Lord’s Table speaks to us.

“…take, eat, this is my body broken for you.  This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you…”

    The wilderness is never easy. Our journey through life has many hard places. Though God will not guarantee our 401K’s our Roth IRA’s, our stocks or investments, God does promise to be with us and provide our daily bread.

    The Psalmist reminds us that God knows us, each and every one of us. Because God remembers us, we can live with the security of that remembrance. God does not forget us. But if you look around, there certainly are many whom our culture forgets on purpose.  And they are convinced that God, too, has forgotten them. They are in the wilderness, alone.

    Come to this table of the Lord hungry for the bread and wine that nourishes more than your body, but nourishes your soul and spirit in Christ.  And then, in the strength of this holy meal, live so that your life reaches one forgotten someone.  Take them with you to the table in the wilderness. God will provide. God always does and always will. Amen.