When the LORD heard them, he was furious. The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, his anger rose against Israel, for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them. But he commanded the skies to open; he opened the doors of heaven. He rained down manna for them to eat; he gave them bread from heaven. They ate the food of angels!
Psalms 78: 21-24
The people of Israel were wandering in the desert after God pulled them out of Egypt. No doubt many of these people crossed over the Red Sea on dry land. They experienced and saw with their own eyes, the parted waters. The walls of water on both sides as they walked on the dry ocean floor.
They watched as Pharaoh and his chariots tried to cross the same path but God closed the way and drowned all of them. God delivered Israel by His hand and everyone cheered and worshipped Him for His help that day.
God did the impossible that day. The peoples’ faith must have been sky high! Mine would have.
And then some time passes…and they began to complain as they walked in the desert.
The people began to complain and focus on their problems – not on God.
Their hearts became hard and began challenging God thinking in their hearts that God couldn’t give them food in the desert.
God’s anger arose against them because they they did not believe God or trust him to care for them.
Ouch. How often do we do this? For me, at least a couple of days each week.
Right now I’m having a tough time at my job working under a micromanaging and aggressive boss.
My heart asks, where is God’s help? I’ve prayed about this many, many times. Why am I having a difficult time? Why am I here in this job?
We begin to worry and focus on the things that are wrong. And then we wonder if God is ever going to help us get out of this situation.
I apply for other jobs and only get rejection e-mails. Where is God’s help? Where are you God?
We do the exact same thing the people of Israel did – not believing in God nor trusting Him to care for us.
This verse stung me when I first read it, but within a few milliseconds it comforted me big time. Why? Because God truly desires us to believe in Him and trust Him to care for us. He wants to show Himself faithful to us because He loves us. Because He is our perfect, and good Father.
He desires you to depend completely on Him – for everything. He cares about every little thing in your life. Especially the things that you worry about.
Another thing to notice, the people of Israel quickly forgot God’s plagues in Egypt, the riches the Egyptian’s gave to them, the Red Sea, and the wiping out of their adversary.
We too forget what God has done in our lives. The altars and pillars in our lives where God helped us. Ah, yes. I remember when I needed a job and God gave me one, when I needed help and he provided it through a friend, stranger, etc. Our faith begins to rekindle and we go from worry to evidence and experience based comfort – we know God has been faithful and he will continue to be for us.
Pray with me right now,
Heavenly Father, I believe in you Lord and that you will take care of me. You are faithful and have always been to me. You have never let me down.
I’m struggling with [insert your problem here]. I leave this problem at your feet my King. Thank you for helping me through this trial. Help me to learn the lessons I need to learn and to come out better for your glory and to your credit. I will not worry but I release this problem to You in the name of Jesus by the blood of the Lamb. Amen.
Have a great Saturday with your family and trust the Lord that He is working all things to your good because you love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Your brother in Christ,
Dave
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