Key Verse:
"Behold,
he smote the rock,that the waters gushed out,and the streams overflowed;can he
give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? Therefore the LORD heard
this, and was wroth..." (Psalm 78:20,21).
Read: - PSALM 78:21-33
There was
this discernible recurring cycle in the history of the children of Israel. They
repeatedly oscillated from rebellion to retribution, then torn repentance, to
reconciliation withGod, and then to righteousness and back to rebellion after
they must have regained some comfort.
Their relationship with God was
unidirectional - they always wanted to receive from God without any
corresponding faith, loyalty and devotion to Him.As revealed in today's text,
God did several wonders amidst the children of Israel that should have made
them believe that He could do all things. But rather than praising God, they
kept asking for more and tempting Him until they provoked Him to anger. This
narrative concern ing the children ofIsrael is an evidence that what God does
in man is far more important than what He does for him. What God does for man,
such as the provision of food, clothing, shelter, etc., are mere transient
physical blessings which are not bad in themselves. But what He does in man
such as the circumcision of the heart and crucifixion of the flesh are
spiritual and rewardable blessings with great eternal benefits.If they had been
circumcised in the heart (Deuteronomy 30:6), they would have been more patient,
contented and grateful to God forHis blessings and would have escaped His
judgment.This account of the Israelites was repeated by Apostle Paul in
1Corinthians 10:1-12, and there are several lessons to draw from this.First,
physical blessings do not necessarily mean that a person is spiritual. Second,
no matter what God does for a man, if nothing is done to change his sinful
nature, that man will always rebel against Him. Third, spiritual blessings are
more valuable than physical blessings. Therefore, "seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you" (Matthew 6:33).
Thought for
the day: What God
does in you is more important than what He does for you.
Bible
Reading in one Year: LUKE 13 - 16
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