Psalm 106:13-15 King James Version (KJV)

13 They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel:

14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

 

One of the most head scratching situations in the Bible is that of the Israelites murmuring and complaining in the desert. Reading through their list of complaints in Exodus it can be easy to forget that they had seen some pretty crazy miracles with their own eyes. These are the very same people that walked through the middle of a sea on dry ground with the water piled up on either side. The same people that witnessed a pillar of fire reaching to the heavens following them by night. They ate manna that fell from heaven every night. When they decided to complain about that, meat was provided every day…so much they nearly choked on it. It was one thing after another.

Psalm 106:13-15 says that even after all of these things, the Israelites forgot His works. They no longer bothered to wait for His counsel. What did they do? They lusted and temped God in the desert. What a defiant attitude! It was truly the mindset of a bunch of ungrateful children.

As easy as it may be to look at the story of the Israelites in the desert and criticize their attitudes, the truth is that the same rebellion that was in their hearts also lies in our own. Today we’re seeing a version of this same ungratefulness and lack of thankfulness play out on the streets of America. Even though the United States is a nation that has been blessed by God with a prosperity that can be found nowhere else on earth, many have followed the same pattern as the Israelites.

Where is your heart today? Do you have a complaining attitude? Are you thankful for what you have been blessed with? Even though we’re not eating manna from heaven every day, we still have food on our tables. Even though we’re not being led by a physical pillar of fire by night and cloud by day, we are now being led by the Spirit. Even though we aren’t physically walking on dry ground through the middle of the sea, God is still able to lead us through the darkest of circumstances and see us safely on the other side. We have every reason to trust in Him and to be thankful.

Take the time today to thank and praise God. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What a precious promise!

Psalm 107:22  Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

Scott Schneider