Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.
Read
Psalm 78:17-29
Yet they sinned still more against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God, saying,
“Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
Even though he struck the rock so that water gushed out
and torrents overflowed,
can he also give bread,
or provide meat for his people?”
Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of rage;
a fire was kindled against Jacob,
his anger mounted against Israel,
because they had no faith in God,
and did not trust his saving power.
Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
he rained flesh upon them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
Reflect
In the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus counseled his disciples not to worry about what they will have to eat or drink or other basic provisions. God always provides.
In the desert, God’s chosen people were angering the Lord with their sin and rebellion. They put the Lord to the test, with words like “can God prepare for us a table in the wilderness?”
The Lord saw and heard their disobedience and distrust. This would have been a good time for the judgment, but we come to an interesting word in this psalm. It is the word “yet.”
In spite of, contrary to what was deserved, without any merit on behalf of his Chosen People; God provided for their needs in the wilderness. They received the bread of angels and even meat, and these were not war rations. They had an abundance.
The people who had lived through miracle after miracle put God to the test but God loved them even in his anger. He gave them good provision.
While we were in rebellion against God, Christ died for us. God loves us with an everlasting love. This is the God that we know, and yet we quarrel and argue and fight among ourselves.
Has the gift of mercy and grace not been sufficient to set aside our selfish nature and receive Christ’s nature? Is it not time to give up our distrust and disobedience and be known by our love?
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may abound even more?
Pray
Dear Lord,
We thank you and praise your name.
We thank you that you have set aside your anger for us.
We stand in awe of your grace for we are still disobedient.
We desire to trust you with all of our heart but we are anchored in our own understanding.
Our sin is ever before us, yet you love us and provide for us.
Help us to bring glory to your name by trusting you more.
Help us to be known by our love by loving our neighbor as much as you love us.
Help us to seek you, your kingdom, and your righteousness now more than ever.
Help us to leave our sin behind and never look back.
Amen.
Go with God!
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