From the outside looking in, there’s always room to criticize. Most people can take a small peek into someone’s life, situation, or moment and believe that they have all the answers. Anyone? If we’re really honest, we often feel pretty good – even superior – when compared to other people and what we perceive to be their most ridiculous situations, actions, and reactions.
I’m not writing about the pitfalls of comparing ourselves with each other, even though there are multiple passages in the Bible that warns us to not compare ourselves with each other or to do things for the approval of others. I just find it interesting that we seem to be pretty haughty and prideful at times. Ever read a story out of the Bible and think to yourself about how moronic the people were back then to not trust God? To complain about God? To forget about His power from one moment to the next? Hmm… I never do any of those things…
Not trusting God, complaining about or to God, and neglecting to recall His previous provisions are all things that I deal with on a daily basis. Yet I have no problem with shaking my head in disbelief when I read about God’s people not being faithful or demonstrating that they had placed their faith in God.
I look at the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt and I’m astonished that they had so quickly forgotten the plagues that God sent to strike down the people of Egypt. They didn’t recall that they left Egypt in good health – none were feeble or sick even after over 400 years of slavery (Psalm 105:37). They didn’t remember that they left Egypt with great riches that the Egyptians gave to them (Exodus 12:35-36). They got to the Red Sea and forgot the wonders God had done on their behalf. They were in fear for their lives instead of trusting that God was their provider, their rescuer, and their mighty fortress. They saw the Egyptians racing on their chariots towards them and thought they were going to die.
Most of us know the rest of their story: they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and saw their enemy utterly destroyed (Exodus 14:26-28, Psalm 106:10-11). The plagues didn’t seem to convince them that God was on their side, their health and wealth when leaving a life of slavery behind didn’t seem to encourage them to believe the truth of God’s affection, but now God parted the Red Sea and destroyed their enemy. Surely that would be proof enough that they could trust God to take care of them.
But they so quickly forgot… again. Just like I do now.
It’s easy to read their story in the Bible and think they must have had some learning disabilities or that they were suffering from amnesia, but how often do we stress and fret? How often do we experience the not-so-nice feeling of anxiety over the simple busyness in our day? There are so many gems to pull from the story of the Israelites being set free from slavery (freedom is an obvious one), but I think it’s important to get back to basics now and then.
“Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” Matthew 6:26-33 NASB
The Israelites came out of Egypt with health, wealth, food, and livestock. They crossed the Red Sea and after just 3 days of traveling in the desert, they became worried about finding drinkable water (Exodus 15:22-25). They became hangry not too long after that and, fearing they would starve, stated they were better off in Egypt. They wandered in the dessert for 40 years and they still had clothing and footwear that wasn’t worn thin (Nehemiah 9:20-21). God provided water, food, and clothing.
I don’t really find myself worrying about water, food, and clothing. We have been blessed in so many ways that I don’t even know where to begin. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have times that I find myself worrying over other things. Do I trust God? Yes! But it would seem that the simple admission that I worry would negate that I trust Him, right? What about when we have times of depression? We worry and then we feel as though everything is falling apart and will never get better. Or we experience one bump in the road after another and another… and another.
Things seem to get better and then another thing hits. Sounds a lot like the Israelites. They had slavery (pretty big one, I guess). They were probably a bit malnourished and had injuries (slavery, remember?). Then things got better when God freed them. Then another bump – they were looking at death racing towards them on Egyptian chariots and then God provided a way to escape. They were thirsty – boom! Water to drink. They were hungry – boom! Food to eat! One problem after another was settled with one provision after another.
I’ve written several times in the past couple months about the importance of reading the Bible, and today I’m doing it again. There is something powerful about testimony, and reading the Bible tells us the testimony of God’s relentless pursuit of His people. Over and over again He comes through for His people, and it’s recorded to empower and encourage us – His people – today.
God knew that the Israelites would praise Him, grumble and complain, and then praise Him again… and eventually crucify Him. He knew they would need the constant reminders of His faithfulness to them. And that’s where I find my peace. It’s His faithfulness, not mine. I grumble and complain with the best of them in the worst of times… but He is faithful. He is faithful to provide, to extend grace, and to love. He extended grace for the grumbles of the Israelites and He does the same for us today.
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. II Thessalonians 3:3 NASB
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. II Timothy 2:13 NASB
If you’re needing encouragement, I highly recommend reading the Bible. If you’re needing a little direction to encouraging passages of the Bible or some other helpful materials, send me an email (ohblessitgrace@gmail.com) or drop a comment and I’ll give you a few options that I’ve been thoroughly pleased with.