Readings from the Old Testament / Hebrew Scriptures

When the Israelites complained to Moses about the lack of food in the desert, the Lord heard their complaints and provided for their needs.

Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the whole community to come and stand before the LORD, because he has heard their complaints.” As Aaron spoke to the whole community, they turned toward the desert, and suddenly the dazzling light of the LORD appeared in a cloud. The LORD said to Moses, “I have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them that at twilight they will have meat to eat, and in the morning they will have all the bread they want. Then they will know that I, the LORD, am their God.”

In the evening a large flock of quails flew in, enough to cover the camp, and in the morning
there was dew all around the camp. When the dew evaporated, there was something thin and
flaky on the surface of the desert. It was as delicate as frost. When the Israelites saw it, they
didn’t know what it was and asked each other, “What is it?”

Moses said to them, “This is the food that the LORD has given you to eat.”
Exodus 16.9-15

Many of the psalm writers placed their hope in God, trusting in his help and protection.

You, O LORD, are always my shield from danger;
you give me victory and restore my courage.
I call to the LORD for help, and from his sacred hill he answers me.
I lie down and sleep, and all night long the LORD protects me.
Psalm 3.3-5

“Praise him, you servants of the LORD!
Honor him, you descendants of Jacob!
Worship him, you people of Israel!
He does not neglect the poor or ignore their suffering;
he does not turn away from them, but answers when they call for help.”
Psalm 22.23,24

I praise you, LORD, because you have saved me
and kept my enemies from gloating over me.
I cried to you for help, O LORD my God,
and you healed me; you kept me from the grave.
I was on my way to the depths below,but you restored my life.
…

You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance;
you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy.
Psalm 30.1-3,11

Praise the LORD!
How wonderfully he showed his love for me
when I was surrounded and attacked!
I was afraid and thought
that he had driven me out of his presence.
But he heard my cry, when I called to him for help.
Psalm 31.21,22

I waited patiently for the LORD’s help;
then he listened to me and heard my cry.
He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand.
He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.
He taught me to sing a new song, a song of praise to our God.
Psalm 40.1-3a

God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken
and mountains fall into the ocean depths;
even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.
…

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46.1-3,7

O God, you are my God, and I long for you.
…

As I lie in bed, I remember you; all night long I think of you,
because you have always been my help.
In the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
I cling to you, and your hand keeps me safe.
Psalm 63.1a,6-8