We are never content

I was set to finish reading Chapter 36 of Philip Graham Ryken's commentary on Exodus, and I did. (But I must say, with the help of Kate in VoiceReader).

What made me think this time was from the point of the whining Israelites.

For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?' (Exo 15:22b-24)

If I were them, I would have said why didn't God provide good drinking water in the first without us having to ask him, because he already knows that we need it! We have no water for three days! I don't even need to ask! It's a given!

It does not work that way, not with them, not with us.

But we certainly expect it, don't we? We want everything ready at hand for us. We are really a very pampered generation. Gone are the days where we do all the things ourselves. For most of us, wherever we go, we are waited hand and foot for the basics of life - clean water, clean air, clean clothes, good food...good coffee. These are now considered a given by most.

We have lost the awe and wonder of the simplicities of life.

So when the Israelites were dying from thirst, why didn't God just provided and lead them to good fresh water to start with? It is because they need to know and acknowledge that all providence comes from God.

If you...know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matt 7:11)

The key word is "ask". We don't have because we don't ask. It is a command from God that we ask, and in his will and in his time, he will give. Only then will we know and acknowledge who the giver is, and not be like how we are these days, pampered babies.

But when the Israelites were given manna every morning everyday of their lives wandering the dessert, where they contented?

There were not. They were still grumbling and wanted something better.

We will never learn. It is only by God's grace that saves us from his wrath.

pearlie