Friday, December 4, 2009

Manna in the Wilderness

I just wanted to share something from my devos this morning with you all. Take a look at Exodus 16.

From the very crossing of the Red Sea the children of Israel had put God to the test, had doubted Him time and time again. In Exodus 16:35 we are told that "the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan."
When they had reached Canaan the first time (Numbers 13) and 12 spies were sent out to scout the land, the whole lot of them, except for Joshua and Caleb, were so scared of the men there that they wanted to pick a new leader and head back to Egypt! Back to brutal slavery! This was the last straw for God. "because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice." (Numbers 14:22) So they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for forty years, one year for every day they had spied out the land. (Num 14:33, 34)
Now during these forty years the congregation still kept putting God to the test, constantly complaining. Look back at Exodus 16:35. God provided the manna for them the whole time that they wandered. Now, if it had been me, I would have said, "You didn't believe me after everything that I have done for you and shown you. You have complained more than two brothers in the backseat during a 300 mile car trip. And you keep wanting to go back to the very people whom you prayed for deliverence from for 400 years! So, now you're going to just wander around, and since  you don't like my cooking, you can get your own food." Thankfully, God is nothing like me! He still loved them so much, even after everything. He is incapable of breaking His promises.
This is so encouraging to me. Now matter how many times I fail miserably and complain, He still loves me! Knowing that makes me want to do better, to avoid those failings.
I hope this encourages you, and I'd love to hear your input! Blessings!

1 comment:

  1. Hey...That was just what I needed today. I am going to suggest the wife and kids read it too. Thank you!

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