I was recently pondering upon the account of the Hebrew exodus from Egypt - how the multitude of the Hebrew people wanted relief from their trials and tribulations that Pharaoh had placed upon them and how they longed to be freed from the bondage and oppression that had taken place in their lives.
How God then miraculously provided for their deliverance from their bondage. And yet, shortly after their deliverance from that bondage, they were murmuring and complaining and saying they would be better off going back to Egypt!
They had witnessed and experienced the great salvation that the Lord had promised and provided yet they became restless and rebellious about proceeding to the Promised Land. Yes, they must walk through the wilderness and the arid lands that separated Egypt from the Promised Land but God had promised to lead them and provide for all of their needs as they made their way.
Follow Him and they would be taken care of…He gave a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day…water to drink and manna to eat…what more could those Hebrew people have asked for? It seems that God’s provision wasn’t enough!
Although there were some who truly believed the Lord and trusted in Him and His promises, I dare say many were only along for the initial relief from the trials and tribulation and the bondage and oppression – they were not willing to trust in the Lord enough to work out their salvation.
And then when you consider the ten men that went to spy out the Promised Land. Just two of those ten men trusted enough in God to believe Him and completely follow His leading while the other eight could only see with man’s vision – a worldly vision that meant disbelief and subsequent defeat. The picture is clear of a people not willing to humble themselves or be thankful for God’s deliverance and provision. They were not willing to trust and to rest in His mercy and grace.
In the church (the body of Christ) today it seems that we probably have a comparable ratio of those who truly trust in God and His promises for His children and seek to walk in His paths and those who are along for the initial relief. When I think about how weak the church is in our time, how we are not willing stand firm on God’s truth, how we murmur and complain, how we are not satisfied with God’s deliverance and provision, how we believe that man has a better idea and vision – it makes me wonder when our proverbial 40 years of wandering began…
How God then miraculously provided for their deliverance from their bondage. And yet, shortly after their deliverance from that bondage, they were murmuring and complaining and saying they would be better off going back to Egypt!
They had witnessed and experienced the great salvation that the Lord had promised and provided yet they became restless and rebellious about proceeding to the Promised Land. Yes, they must walk through the wilderness and the arid lands that separated Egypt from the Promised Land but God had promised to lead them and provide for all of their needs as they made their way.
Follow Him and they would be taken care of…He gave a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day…water to drink and manna to eat…what more could those Hebrew people have asked for? It seems that God’s provision wasn’t enough!
Although there were some who truly believed the Lord and trusted in Him and His promises, I dare say many were only along for the initial relief from the trials and tribulation and the bondage and oppression – they were not willing to trust in the Lord enough to work out their salvation.
And then when you consider the ten men that went to spy out the Promised Land. Just two of those ten men trusted enough in God to believe Him and completely follow His leading while the other eight could only see with man’s vision – a worldly vision that meant disbelief and subsequent defeat. The picture is clear of a people not willing to humble themselves or be thankful for God’s deliverance and provision. They were not willing to trust and to rest in His mercy and grace.
In the church (the body of Christ) today it seems that we probably have a comparable ratio of those who truly trust in God and His promises for His children and seek to walk in His paths and those who are along for the initial relief. When I think about how weak the church is in our time, how we are not willing stand firm on God’s truth, how we murmur and complain, how we are not satisfied with God’s deliverance and provision, how we believe that man has a better idea and vision – it makes me wonder when our proverbial 40 years of wandering began…
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