In Exodus 16, Israelites had been walking in the wilderness for about 1 month after their exodus from Egypt. They might have run out of all supplies of food since it is mentioned in Exodus 12:39 that they hurriedly packed their things and moved on. Some of them might even have died of hunger (possibly in the extreme scenario). Now there is a choice to make; whether to keep moving or die in the desert. Then they complain to Moses about their problem. They even wished that they were killed by God while in Egypt (Exodus 16:3). Sometimes we feel the same. Not seeing a concrete work of God in our situations, we may be despaired and may even complain to God about how discriminating He has been to us. Some of us might have even prayed for God to kill us.
But it’s a choice whether we act in response to reality or in accordance with faith. Moses might also have run out of his supplies. Yet as for himself, he decides to trust God and His promises throughout the journey. He was not troubled by the hardships of wilderness because he had his heart fixed upon God, His wonders, and promises.
Not seeing the promises of God in His word fulfilled in our lives, we may be tempted to complain and grudge against God. I myself have challenged God to show Himself in my situations several times and have been angry with God several times in the past. But this did not change my situation. In these days, I have realized that we have two options:
- Complain to God for reality
- Keep Believing in the promises and faithfulness of God.
Each individual gets to choose what she/he will do.
It was logical for Israelites to complain to their leaders Moses and Aaron. However, there is another dangerous reason behind their complaining: the lack of faith among them. Their heart was fixed upon the needs and things of the Earth. Their heart was fixed They did not desire to live in fellowship with God, as Moses did. They got each one of their desires fulfilled but at the cost of a relationship with their LORD. What benefit is it, when we get everything except the relationship with God? Ultimately, they could not enter into the land of promise (Heb. 3:19). We are easily distracted by the cares of life if we are satisfied living on the fringes of the presence/glory of God.
We are easily distracted by the cares of life if we are satisfied living on the fringes of the presence/glory of God.
Jesus Himself is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2). Each one of us has the promises and will of God for our lives. We may not get a call as Moses got but we still can have the relationship that Moses had with God. From the life of the heroes of faith in the Bible, we understand that Great Faith is Persevering Faith. They persevered long enough to see the promise of God fulfilled in their lives. We too need to stand patiently in our faith for us to fulfill the will and promises of God in our lives (Hebrews 10:36). But how do we do that?
Great Faith is Persevering Faith.
The more we listen to the rhema word of Christ, the stronger we become in faith (Romans 10:17). So how can we listen to the rhema word of Christ? The more time we spend with Him personally, the more we wait silently in His presence, meditating His word, the more we know Him (Psalms 46:10).
It may seem logical to get intimidated with God for the perils we may be going through. But it takes faith to stand in the promises of God irrespective of realities. Will you choose the path of faith with perseverance or question God with your logic?