Oh, how soon we forget.
The people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? – Exodus 15:24, AMP.
For three days after God miraculously rescued them by parting the Red Sea, the children of Israel traveled in the wilderness of Shur. By the end of the third day, they were tired and thirsty, and their water supply was all dried up. Just in time they found a water source, but a quick examination of the watering hole proved the water too bitter to drink. Totally in tune with human nature, the Israelites forgot about God’s powerful provision just three days earlier, instead focusing upon the cruel trick of being led to a source of water totally incapable of satisfying their thirst. Fortunately, God showed mercy to Moses and the people of Israel, turning the water sweet after the Israelites thrust a tree into the water at God’s command.
When we read this story, we may be tempted to criticize the children of Israel for grumbling and complaining so soon after God proved just how capable He is of providing. But we should not in pride condemn them. We should in humility identify with them, seeing our own weakness of faith reflected in them. We have all experienced instances of God’s miraculous provision in our lives, but we quickly forget about them. When the next trial comes, we grumble and complain rather than trust. We shouldn’t murmur against God; we should depend on God! We should know that if He allows us to become a little thirsty in our lives, it is for our own good because trials – as Romans 5:3-4 and James 1:3-4 teach us – produce patience, long-suffering, meekness, and righteousness. In other words, trials make us more like Christ, they make our character more complete, and they make us more capable of living according to God’s purposes in our lives.
We can be calm during times of trial when we know that the trials are for our good. When we are far from God, however, we will do nothing but complain, fight God’s efforts to mold us into His image through trial, and distance ourselves from the love of God we so desperately need.
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Robbie,
Thank you for sharing this message. It hit home as I have personally been questioning the fruits of my labor and questioning my lack of success through life’s failures.
I am getting ready to prune back a fig tree that produced fruit this past season. The figs are still on the tree, yet the leaves have fallen and the fruit was not of good quality this year. The tree is over grown and the tree has to be pruned back in order to bear quality fruit. This tree is like my life in that there are areas that I need to continually prune, cut out and reshape in order to bear the quality fruit desired.
I know that if I am in the Lord’s will, that I should not worry or have questions regarding the provisions needed or the direction in life he is leading me.
Ken Cagle
Galations 5
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
Ephesians 6
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Thank you, Ken, for such an inspiring challenge! We all need that reminder, brother, and I’m glad The Lord brought to you the message you needed at the time you needed it. Thank you for the scripture you quoted as well (Always a winner!), and God bless!