“If it ain’t one thing its another”

Exodus 16:1 NIV

The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.

“If it aint one thing, its another”

Text: Exodus 16:1-8, 13-15

Introduction:I got up this morning tried to get off of work

I couldn't even find not one clean shirt

There was no hot water when I jumped in the shower

I know my boss is gonna dock me an hour

The older I get the more I discover

If it ain't one thing it's another

I got to the car, I tried to get motivated

Now I'm stuck in the traffic, all I'm doing is waiting

The fool behind me keeps blowin' his horn

I got my top laid back and it's coming up a storm

The older I get the more I discover

If it ain't one thing it's another

Light bill phone bill water and gas

Pay day comes and it goes so fast

There's no way out and I'm telling you brother

If it ain't one thing it's another

“Richard Dimples Fields”

As we sojourn through down here on earth, there will be serious challenges that impact our lives from day to day. One experience after another, and many times we don’t have time to rest, adjust, or brace ourselves for the next struggle. While it seem as if life is imposing on us experiences we didn’t ask for, most of us are unaware that God is orchestrating us through the classroom to teach us and remind us that He is God. Our text today, is a classic example of a nation of people who instead of trusting God, they developed an attitude where in every-time difficulties arose, all they knew how to do was complain. They forgot who has the last word about our circumstances. The lesson teaches us that, we should believe God’s promises, experience God’s provisions, and correct our perception.

Do You Believe God’s Promises (Exodus 16:4)

All that the Lord gave to Moses and the Children of Israel for their journey and deliverance was promised. They had moved from Marah where they could not drink the water because it was bitter. What shall we drink was the people’s cry. Moses consults the Lord and God shows him a tree, which Moses cast into the water and the water is made sweet. God tells Moses; “if you and Israel will keep my statues I will not put none of the diseases on you which I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord that healeth thee. So they come to Elim where there are twelve wells and seventy palm trees. However their journey didn't stop at Elim because the text says, They leave Elim and journeys to the wilderness of Sin. Just because you are comfortable with where you are doesn't mean that God wants you to stay there. Often times God is navigating us to a better place, but because we can’t see where He is taking us, we become disgruntle and start to complain, doubt, and even hold on to the blessing that we have not realizing that the same God who provided is constantly in the providing business. Just because you can’t see any further doesn’t mean that you have reached the pinnacle where He wants you to be. The truth that looms large for every believer in their walk with God is, God’s promises are provided without explanation. We may never be able to explain how or when He intervenes and does what He has promised to do but He does it. It is very important to every believer to know that you can put your entire trust in God and He wont fail you. God said “I will.” There is no greater assurance than the “I wills” of God. Despite their murmuring, He responds with His mercy. Despite all of our complaining and shortcomings He allows His mercy and grace to cast a shadow over all of our lives and we reap His goodness even though we sometimes don’t deserve it. Thank God for His mercy for your’s and my murmuring and complaining.

He will Provide (Exodus 16:5)

God promises Israel a miraculous amount of provisions for their complaints. They didn't deserve it, we don’t deserve it, however God does it anyway. It was miraculous because they were in the wilderness of Sin. This is to suggest that even when you and I are in the depths of our mess, complaining and doing wrong there is hope and relief from God who loves us in-spite of. The word sin in Arabic is called a marsh, and the Egyptian word for sin means “a place of clay.” No edible vegetation can grow in marsh or a place that is nothing but clay. The text seems to suggest that; God will sometimes deposit us in a place where only He can provide for our most intimate needs and deliver us from disasters and circumstances beyond our control. God said, “Look I will rain down bread from heaven.” This mana was plentiful and perpetual for forty years. The lesson intended for Israel and us to learn is, God keep His promises and He provides. The lesson is also a test for Israel and us to learn to be obedient to God.

We need the correct Perception (Exodus 16:7-8)

If we are going to learn anything on our journey through the wilderness, we need to start with the right perception of who God is. What we know about God determines how we see and respond to Him. Nothing catches Him by surprise. Our behavior when we face dilemmas or obstacles does not baffle God to the extent that He has to figure out how to meet our needs. David said; He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He leads us down paths so that we can get to know Him better. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. How many of us know that our earthly journey is an experience where in we live in the land of the dying, but thanks be to God our intimate relationship with Christ secures for us a land where we wont have to die no more. The question for us today is, “How much of God do I know?” Moses says in verse 7 “And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord.” Yes we all have experienced times where we were or we are waiting for an “in the morning experience” when God miraculous power shines through the gloom of our dark situations. We are often weighted down by life’s challenges but we must remember that the same God that provided still provides even when we are grumbling and He can and will deliver on His word.

If He did it the first time, He can do it again. It does not matter what’s going on in your life, God’s promises are for sure and He will take care of you. God address all of Israel’s problems in just 30 days. What are you saying Reverend? It does not matter how many issues you may have, God can handle them all. The late, great Marvin Gaye wrote a song entitled “What’s Going On” The song, some say; it was addressing the situation of war going on all over the world.

Mother, mother

There's too many of you crying

Brother, brother, brother

There's far too many of you dying

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today,

Father, father

We don't need to escalate

You see, war is not the answer

For only love can conquer hate

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today,

Picket lines and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me, so you can see

Oh, what's going on

What's going on

Yeah, what's going on

Ah, what's going on

Closure: Yes, life is filled with difficulties and uncertainties, but thank God we are not left alone to navigate them by ourselves. God is on our side and we don’t have to stay stuck in the saying “if it aint one thing it’s another. Because if we have relationship with God , we can talk to Him, and then we can see and will see what’s going on. In the mean time I want to encourage you to hold to His hand, For time and life is filled with swift transition, Naught on earth unmoved can stand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand, hold on to God’s unchanging hand.