Come Near Before the Lord

Amy Schisler

I’m so excited to be a contributor to the Women in the New Evangelization blog beginning today!

And Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your murmurings’.” (Exodus 16:9).

Today, let us draw near to the Lord and place our trust in Him so He can give us heavenly food. He is planting seeds in our lives that will bear much fruit if we listen for Him.

Rocky Ground

The Israelites hit a patch of rocky ground as they neared Sinai. They trusted and followed Moses and his God, but when things got hard, they murmured and yearned for the days they were slaves in Egypt. How often have I done this? I know the Lord is there and nourishes me with “the bread which the Lord has given you to eat” (Exodus 16:15); but I still murmur when things get hard, when I am tired, hungry, or grow weary. I yearn for simpler times, a more leisurely life without stress, worry, or pain.

Aaron told the children of Israel, “Come near before the Lord, for He has heard your murmurings” (Exodus 16:9). Unless we draw near to the Lord, He cannot provide us heavenly food. When we walk a path heading away from God, plant our roots in too little soil to grow in the Spirit, or live among thorns that block God from our lives, we find ourselves in the desert with the Israelites—wandering and hungry for heavenly food.

Listen for the Sower

When you find yourself on rocky ground, heading in the wrong direction, or feeling that God is blocked from your life, draw near to Him. God is always listening, waiting to feed us body and soul. All we need to do is call out to Him and listen for His voice. He continues to sow seeds in our lives, providing us with our daily portion. We must gather what He gives and listen. “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9).

In what way are you murmuring against the Lord today? Do something for someone whose life is harder than yours. Send flowers to a sick friend, make a meal for someone in need, or visit with someone who is lonely, and see how God will feed you a hundredfold.\

First published on July 26, 2023 at https://catholicvineyard.com/come-near-before-the-lord/