How Do You Treat God’s Gracious Gift – With Gratitude, or With Disdain?

(Ref. Numbers 11 – NIV Study Bible)

 

Background: God had delivered His people – The Israelites, from slavery in Egypt and was leading them on a long journey through the wilderness, to the land that He had promised to give to them.

 

For food, the Lord provided them daily, with MANNA – which was like coriander seed. After gathering as much as they needed, the people would either grind or crush it, and then cook or bake it into cakes…

 

In verse 4 of Numbers 11, the non-Israelites began to crave other food, and then the Israelites started complaining saying;

If only we had meat to eat…we remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost – also, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!

 

It was very easy for the Israelites to enjoy the good times (freedom from slavery in Egypt, the parting of the red sea so they could get away from the Egyptians, the provision of manna, etc.) without remembering to thank God..but at the first signs of distress (not having a variety of food), they murmured, complained, and grumbled…

 

Besides, it was the non-Israelites among them who started the rancour…Those who do not know God and His mercies often incite those who do, to complain and grumble…we must take heed as Christians, not to allow the voice of the enemy to lead us astray.

 

The Manna was God’s gracious gift to the Israelites – a daily divine provision of heavenly food, and their rejection of His gift angered the Lord.

 

How the Israelites received the manna was to be a significant test of obedience…In view of the good things God was going to give to them, the Israelites were expected to receive the manna as a gracious gift from a merciful God, and a promise of the abundance to come.

 

By spurning the manna, the people spurned God. They were ungrateful, hence, they failed the “test”.

 

Now, please do me a little favour…just STOP for a moment. Ask yourself these questions:

How many times have I spurned God’s gracious gift?

How often have I been ungrateful for His daily provision?

Have I thanked Him for the little I have now, whilst anticipating the plenty that will come?

 

Whatever your answers are, you know what to do…

 

Lord, I repent of my ingratitude, and for ever spurning any of your gracious gifts. I thank you for EVERY blessing that you have blessed me with, and I thank you in advance, for the abundance that is coming to me. Amen.

 

***Image courtesy encouragement100.com

 

PS; Pls read First Lady’s testimony over @ the Testimony Corner…it’s a confirmation that God is still in the business of BIG miracles, and it’ll surely lift your spirits.