An Old Blue Shirt
I have a blue shirt that I like quite a bit. It is not a fashion statement by any means, but I like it. It is comfortable and being blue, which is my favorite color, I wear it a lot. Not every day, of course, because my wife, who has better fashion sense than I do, would probably put a stop to it. Still, I wear it a lot.
I’ve had that shirt for several years now. Lately, when I go to pull it out of my closet, I’ve wondered if that shirt is the same color as it used to be. “Is it getting lighter?”, I ask myself? It seems that it just isn’t as vibrant a shade of blue as it used to be. Sure enough, I lift up the collar and find that the material underneath the color is darker than the rest of the shirt. Under the collar, it is still the same vibrant color it used to be. My beloved shirt is definitely wearing out.
That’s just the way it is when clothes get old. We know that, right? After use, some clothes may last longer than others, depending on quality, how often we wear them, or how we care for them, but they all wear out eventually. Or do they?
In the case of the Israelites, their clothes didn’t wear out while they wandered in the wilderness. In Deuteronomy 8:4 Moses reminds the people, “Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.” And again, Moses reminds them in Deuteronomy 29:5, “Yet the Lord says, ‘During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.’” Amazing, right?
Maybe we look at this “minor” miracle and think, “not such a big deal.” Really? I read these passages and thought wow! How complete God’s care for them was! Even though they had disobeyed Him. Even though God caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years because of their sin. He still provided for them. Completely! Even to the point of preserving the clothes on their backs and the sandals on their feet. I have to say again, wow!
And here’s my second thought: Did they notice? Of course, when Moses reminded them, they saw it but, I wonder, in the midst of the wandering from day to day did they notice? I mean, it’s hard to miss the sea being parted. Being led through, away from your enemies, as you stare in wonder at walls of water on either side of you. You can’t miss seeing that God is doing something.
And the pillars. A pillar of fire at night to lead them, warm them, and protect them. A pillar of cloud in the day to lead and protect them. Both reminding them of God’s continued presence. Not to mention, food coming down from heaven. Both manna and quail. These are hard to miss. But, did they notice the preservation of their clothes?
If they did notice, when did it occur to them that God’s provision was so complete? One week in the wilderness? A month? A year? Ten years? At some point, doesn’t it seem like you’d notice that your clothes and shoes aren’t wearing out? Yet, like them, we can easily overlook God’s provision for us. And, like them, we have a tendency to forget what God has done.
Remembering what God has done for us is a good thing. Remembering what God has done for us results in praise. David writes in Psalm 103:
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits— (Psa 103:1-2)
When we take notice of how great His love and care for us is, even in the midst of our unworthiness, we will want to serve Him. And here’s the thing: When we take note of what God has done for us in the past, we can’t help but have confidence that He will continue to care for us in the future, “…because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” (Heb 13:5-6)
Each time I take my old blue shirt out of the closet, as it fades just a little more, until it completely wears out, it will remind me of God’s care and provision for me. Then I’ll look for another reminder and another, and another. There are so many places to look if we take notice.
Praise God for His love and care for us. In the big ways that are obvious, and the little ways as well. Praise God even for the things He does that we will never see. His care and provision for us provides all that we need.
Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. Follow Dave on Substack.
Photo by SHVETS production
True Dave, All what God has is ours, and so, we can not miss or lack His provisions . Supply is a spiritual heritage just like our health and inexhaustible. This knowledge has always comforted me during hard times- when sugar in my sugar-dish is coming to an end or when a piece of soap in my house is diminishing. I will continue trusting Him no matter the matter.