In my devotions, I recently prayed through the following Psalm and considered how often I tempt God in my heart. I want what I want. I wonder why God doesn't do certain things for me, which can lead to doubt. I don't accept and am not grateful for all He is doing. I forget what He has done. Thank God that He is so good and kind.
Have you ever faced the same issues in your life? Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart now. It hurts when people have not been satisfied with me and what I did for them. Do you think God expresses that same hurt on a much grander scale?
Psalm 78:18 And they tempted God in their heart By asking meat for their lust. 19 Yea, they spake against God; they said,
Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
20 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?
21 Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel; 22 Because
They believed not in God, And trusted not in his salvation:
23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, And opened the doors of heaven, 24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, And had given them of the corn of heaven. 25 Man did eat angels' food: He sent them meat to the full. 26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: And by his power he brought in the south wind. 27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, And feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: 28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their habitations. 29 So they did eat, and were well filled: For
He gave them their own desire;
30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, 31 The wrath of God came upon them, And slew the fattest of them, And smote down the chosen men of Israel. 32 For all this they sinned still, And
Believed not for his wondrous works.
33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, And their years in trouble. 34 When he slew them, then they sought him: And they returned and inquired early after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, And the high God their redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, And they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For
Their heart was not right with him,
Neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For
He remembered that they were but flesh;
A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. 40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, And
Grieve him in the desert!
41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, And
Limited the Holy One of Israel.
42 They remembered not his hand,
Nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
Truths to learn
Trust God's provision and be grateful
Learn to be content with God's provisions instead of constantly seeking more or questioning His plans.
Think about past mistakes to learn and grow
Be persistent in faith, even during challenges
Wait on God
Acknowledge any wrong attitudes or doubts
Cultivate a spirit of gratitude for God's past provisions and blessings in your life.
Don't insult God by doubting Him
Learn to desire what God provides
Never forget all that He has done for you
Was the meat the problem?
the problem was being discontent and ungrateful with God's provision
the problem was the attitude and lack of trust in God's ability
Doubting God insults Him
Greed, lust, and what they wanted took control
Their lack of faith and disobedience was the real problem
