I remember the children of Israel under Moses’ God-called shepherding. They miraculously escaped bondage and slavery in Egypt. And God miraculously fed and provided for their needs during their wandering in the desert wilderness.
But not long after, Israel started to complain and grumble. In Numbers 11:4, 5, we get a picture of their heart condition: “Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel … said, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons.’ “
Last night, during my bedtime Bible and prayer time with my three kids, we got to reflect a bit on the current world financial crisis and God’s faithfulness. In the natural, kids usually dwell on “intense cravings.” They crave for candies, cakes, and other sweet “cravings” even without discipline. It’s father’s time to help the children get settled in the Lord as we wait upon Him!
Over the years the Lord called me to serve Him, my children never lacked anything they need. God is always faithful. He never fails to provide for us. But there is the constant temptation to “covet beyond God’s provision” as we wait upon the Lord. The challenge of our faith has always been to make God our central passion and peace in whatever times (good or bad) we’re in.
The truth is, in the case of many of us today, we’re like the multitudes of undisciplined children of Israel. A great number of us “yield to intense craving” that compromises God’s righteousness in the process. Specific sins are rationalized as a way to cover up or make them feel acceptable and attractive. “God is not enough” and we look for something else to make us happy. “Oh the fish! And the cucumbers!”
James McDonald says the root of this covetousness is rejection of God’s sufficiency. He calls it “slapping God’s hand” by saying: “What you’ve given me is not enough, God. Nice try. You promised to be all I need, but You’re just not meeting my expectations.”
Romans 8: 5 lets us in to what it is, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of Spirit.”
Jesus came to give us something better than anything on planet earth. When by faith we embrace Him and all His promises, we have a hope that is secure. Relax, you’re in good hands!
Aside from U.S.-based Lulu Publishing, I thank God for the approval and acceptance of Central Books of my new book, "God's Inner Healing: A Guide in Life Recovery, Healing, and Mission" for paperback and hardbound release. Central Books is a well-known 60-year-old Manila-based bestseller publisher of books (hard bound and paperback) in the Philippines.
