The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3

 Yesterday we went up north of Atlanta to celebrate my oldest son’s birthday. He chose an Italian restaurant for lunch. The first thing he ordered was an appetizer for all of us. The waitress said that it takes a long time to make and might come after we get our food. She wasn’t kidding, as it took a while before the appetizer was served. But, once it arrived on our table, we devoured it and our hunger was temporarily satisfied.

 Today’s passage comes from the story of the Israelite’s exodus from Egyptian slavery. 45 days had passed journeying through the desert and the people complained they had run out of food. We read in verse 4 that God said He’d rain down bread from Heaven for His people to eat. I always wondered why He waited so long to provide bread. I’m sure the Israelite people were worried, seeing their food supply dwindling in the wilderness.

 Like me, you might question why God waits to answer our prayers at the last moment when He could have provided prior to feelings of desperation. I believe several reasons.

1.    1. We won’t be able to truly see the powerful hand of God working unless we are empty, hungry, and in desperation. At that moment, we are willing to accept anything He provides, and most of the time He provides more than we ever thought possible.

2.    2. He won’t provide when we already have what we need because the impact of His provision will be lessened and might make us believe we can provide for ourselves. God wants us to depend on Him and not the world’s offerings. What we generate will eventually run out, but His provision will be like a well of water, providing refreshing nourishment for eternity. John 4:11-15.

 God knows your needs before you even ask Matthew 6:7-8. He provides at just the right moment. So, as you pray, asking for His help, know that it will come at just the right moment, when you are ready to receive it, and it will be enough (sometimes more) to sustain you in this life and beyond.