SermonStudio

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 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." Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions."

This is certainly not a typical funeral text, but it might serve well when dealing with a family that has lost a provider and is not only grieving this loss, but is also concerned about how the family will provide for itself. These are words of comfort. God provides for the people even when they have wandered into a desert.

There is one caution to be offered about preaching this message. We cannot preach these words unless we are going to follow them by actually providing for the family. If we preach and fail to follow up, we run the risk of being like those James talks about when he criticizes those who say to the needy, "Go, be warmed and filled." We cannot preach it unless we are willing to live it. What a powerful opportunity to reach those who may not know the Lord! Preach God's provision, and then serve as God's tools in providing.