I often want more. I usually want it NOW and I quickly forget.
I'm reading along with a beautiful group of women at IF:EQUIP, an online Bible reading program and community. Right now we're focusing on Who Jesus said He is and how that impacts us today. (quick and easy to sign up for; free and easy to stick with; Monday - Friday; delivered to your email)
Today we read Exodus 16:1-18. Mot of us know this story. Grumbling Israelites, wanted more, discontent and ungrateful for the freedom God had given them from slavery...
vs. 3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death."
It’s easy for me, (us), to read this and look at those silly, ungrateful, forgetful, greedy, grumbling Israelites and think, “what is WRONG with them??!!”
But the Word is a mirror that shines on my own fickle heart and when I’m willing to gaze into it I see how much I am the same as the grumbling crowd.
I often want more. I usually want it NOW and I quickly forget.
God was asking His people to FULLY trust Him. And He actually made it super easy to do that. He didn’t even make them wait until the end of the day, (11th hour kind of faith), but provided for their needs from the very first beginning of each and every day.
He not only met their NEEDS, but their DESIRES! Check it out… they wanted meat and bread. And He gave them – – –
– – – meat and bread!
Their days began with God's provision of bread and ended with God's provision of meat! Bookends to hold them steady, standing straight, not falling over.
Is God the same today? Is He asking me to fully trust Him with all my needs? And my desires?
Mmmhmmm.
Will He provide both of these?
Will I trust him?
Will I follow His way to have those needs and desires met?
So- is this really about what we need to eat?
John 6:26-35
Jesus makes it pretty clear that there's a deeper issue.
vs. 32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Jesus came and showed us we really need to "EAT" Him. HE is our ultimate need and desire. He IS the ultimate “full” and the ultimate satisfaction.
How have YOU seen God provide? For a need. For a desire. How can this reminder give you a heart of gratitude today and encourage you to not be a grumbler?
And the bigger question, the deeper issue... what things are you asking God for that will never truly satisfy? What are you really hungry for?
