“They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?” Ps 78:18-20
How can it be that as God’s wonders increased for Israel, their faith in Him decreased? How could He be able to set them free, but not be able to set the table? How did they see that He was capable of providing freedom but immediately doubt He was capable of providing a meal for them? Really??? He Cared enough to drown Pharoah’s entire army but might forget or doesn’t know how to whip up a snack with His own creation?
You would think that after watching water miraculously and suddenly burst forth out of a rock to quench their thirst, they would believe wholeheartedly that He could and would also satisfy their hunger. But witnessing the work of God had the opposite effect on them. As He met their needs, they trusted less and complained more. Every time He showed Himself faithful, they grew more rebellious. Instead of focusing on what He could do, they focused on what they could not have.
Their cravings became master instead of their Creator.
When faced with something we deeply desire we tend to subconsciously reduce Him to a God who can set us free but can’t set the table. We assume He cares about big things like eternal salvation but misses the mark with little details of daily life.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”. Phil 4:19
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matt 6:7-8
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Ps 34:10
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need” Ps 23:1
Israel teaches us that it is possible to experience the work of the Lord and yet NOT grow in faith. The same was true of people in Jesus’ day. They literally saw God face to face, saw His miracles, talked directly to Him and walked away unbelieving.
“Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.” John 12:37
Like Israel, like the Pharisees, like many people today, they SAW God work, but didn’t have CONFIDENCE He would or could continue to work on their behalf. We need to be intentional to avoid walking the same faithless path.
Reflection:
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What is one unsure circumstance you are facing today that you can intentionally choose to put your full confidence in God to handle? Especially when you have seen Him handle bigger things for you than this?
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What tangible action could you take to demonstrate that your confidence is in Him and not you or someone/thing else in this matter?
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There is a difference between whining ABOUT God and whining TO Him. The former creates distance, the latter leads to intimacy. Which is more natural to you?
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Psalm 78:39 says ”He remembered they were flesh” and He was compassionate toward them. He is compassionate toward us and knows we are weak and struggle to have faith. He is willing to forgive when we confess we have doubted Him and trusted in other people or ourselves before Him. When we admit this weakness, He is able to be strong in us to fill the gap. Confession and drawing near are the antidote for doubt. Take time to pray right now, acknowledging the miracles God has already done for you in the past, Give Him the praise He has earned and confess the ways your worry is evidence of doubt that He is good and will take good care of you.
“But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’? Everything is possible for the one who believes. Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:22-24