When recently reading Numbers chapter 11, I was stopped by verse 6:
“But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
Nothing but this manna?! You mean the miraculous food item that was nothing like anything you had ever seen before and was given to you every day (except the Sabbath when you could rest, but there had been plenty the day before)?
They had lost the wonder of this miraculous provision.
But there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9) We can be the same way. From the greatest provision ever- our salvation, to our daily bread, we fall into losing the wonder of it and take it for granted.
And dare we admit that we also sometimes complain about provisions? I’m even tempted to think, “Well, I can understand how the Israelites feel. They’ve been eating the same thing all day every day for a year. I’d be tired of it too!” Especially since they use to enjoy (according to them) fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic in Egypt. (When you were slaves. Right. Good times.) But I’m tempted to think like this because I’m a sinner just like the Israelites and just like everyone else.
Let’s compare: a life where I am trusting in the Almighty God for everything- salvation and daily provisions and giving Him thanks for all the ways He provides, knowing I am forgiven and have a home with Hom one day where I won’t think of something so petty as variety of food.
Or- worldly things to enjoy now, at least until I get tired of it and want something new to enjoy, enslaved to sin with no hope of anything else.
If I profess to be a Christian, living the first description, what do I have to complain about?! To be discontent with God’s provision is to be discontent with Him.
“May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:11-12
~Kimberly