Is the Lord's hand shortened?

Verse for the week: “These all look to you,
    to give them their food in due season.
²⁸  … when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.” Psalm 104.27-28

Prayer for the week: “Gracious heavenly Father, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace to overcome them; keep us from those things that harm us; and guide us in the way of salvation; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978). 

Bible reading for the day:  Numbers 11.1-6, and v.23 (note: this reading is just the core excerpt from the story of Israel’s complaining in the wilderness and the Lord’s response, I encourage you to read all of chapter 11 of Numbers.)

¹ And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. ² Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. ³ So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among them.

⁴ Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. ⁶ But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

²³ And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

Prayer (based on the TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty Father thank you for the unlimited reach of your hand in Christ crucified and raised for sinners, reaching all the way to a sinner like me with forgiveness of my sin and true freedom. Thank you. Repent me and your whole church of our craving… for it only leads us to distrust you rather than depend on you… back to the old slavery we know rather the risk of following you. Keep on making your word come true among us…to your glory, through the only one who satisfies our deepest hunger: Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhMFifugZ8o

From Luther’s Small Catechism:

“Thy will be done...” What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is surely done without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it may be done also among us.

When does this happen? God’s will is done when he hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful self, which would prevent us from keeping his name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And his will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his word as long as we live. This is his gracious and good will. 

“Lead us not into temptation..” What does this mean? God tempts no one to sin, but we ask in this prayer in our heavenly Father would watch over us and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful selves do not deceive us and draw us into false belief, despair, and other great and shame for sins. And we pray that even though we are so tempted we may still win the final victory.  

Benediction: The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 4.7

*The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:
T: thanksgiving
R: regret (repentance)
I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P: plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.