Exodus 15 & 16 -- I'm Just Like Them, Aren't I?

Standing on the east side of the Red Sea, outside of Egypt and staring at the bodies of the drowned Egyptian army, the people were thrilled that God had provided for their escape.  But as they entered the Desert of Sin, things changed.  Just 3 days out, they found bitter water, and they grumbled to Moses, who cried out to God, Who gave Moses the means to make the water drinkable.  God provided for His people, despite their mistrust of Him.

About a month later, the grumbling began again.  They wanted meat.  (They’d brought animals out of Egypt with them, but apparently they didn’t feel that these animals were available for food.)  Their words were shocking:  “It would have been better if the Lord had killed us in the land of Egypt ... You have brought us into this desert to starve us to death.”

God promised that food would rain from the sky, but He also restricted their collection of it.  “I want to see if the people will do what I teach them. “  They didn’t, and God reminded them several times of their constant grumbling against Him and their disobedience in collecting the food.  God said, “How long will you people refuse to obey My commands and teachings?”

They’d been brought out and saved, yet they wouldn’t trust the One who’d rescued them.  As much as I’d like to call them out for that, I find myself realizing just how like them I can be.  How many times do I repeat the same sin, just as others do?  God can clearly speak to me and yet days later I find myself almost having forgotten what He’s told me.  It may seem innocent enough, but it’s willful and I know it.  Unfortunately, it’s our sin nature, and without the constant pressure of the Holy Spirit upon our consciences, we’d have no hope of ever defeating it.

Father, I need Your presence every day, just like the way in which the manna appeared, reminding me Whose I am, and what You expect of me.  Just like those Israelites, I can easily take on the feelings of entitlement that sound so childish compared to Your truth.  Stick with me, Father.  Each day remind me what You’ve done for me.  Remind me of what these people did and how I detest them for their grumbling, then call me on the carpet as well for my mistrust and disobedience.  I don’t want it to take 40 years as it did for them!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford