Careful What Wish For!

I remember hearing of a child who at every meal would cry that they wanted ice-cream. Finally the parents gave in and told the child ice-cream was what they would get. It was served for breakfast. It was served for lunch. It was served for dinner. It was not long, however, before the child began to cry for regular meals. Perhaps we are not surprised when we hear of childish tantrums and smile at the clever ways parents find to deal with them.

What about our own desires? Could we also be guilty of such childish behavior? We may look at our lives and think of many things we either would like to have or feel we need. However, what would become of our life if we really got all we thought we wanted? Would our life be better? Or is there something else to keep in mind that would bring about the best?

Reading through Exodus and Numbers we might be struck by how often the nation of Israel whined and complained to Moses. It may also amaze us how many times Moses was willing to plead on behalf of the people when God was ready to destroy them and make Moses a nation stronger and mightier than they. (i.e. Numbers 14:11-19) When “the rabble” ( Numbers 11:4) among the people had a strong craving for meat and wished for the fish and other foods they had eaten in Egypt, feeling they had had enough manna ( Numbers 11:5-6), God decided to give them what they wanted. God was not going to provide the quail for only one day, or even two, five, ten, or twenty days. The people were going to get their fill for a whole month, until (as God put it) it came out their noses and became loathsome to them. ( Numbers 11:19-20)

Noting again the passage we considered yesterday when Israel became afraid to journey into the land God had promised to give them, we read…

“(1) Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. (2) And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, ‘Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! OR WOULD THAT WE HAD DIED IN THIS WILDERNESS! (3) Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?’ (4) And they said to one another, ‘Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.’” ( Numbers 14:1-4 ESV)

They had left the bondage of Egypt, but were still in the wilderness. Was it the better thing? Here they were so close to receiving what God had promised and yet deciding it was better not to enter. Better than moving forward was dying in the wilderness or choosing another leader to take them back to Egypt. Unfortunately, because of their rebellion and LACK OF TRUST IN GOD, part of what they stated as having been better, would be exactly what they would then experience. Those presently twenty years and older would not be allowed to enter the promised land, but would in fact die in that wilderness during the next 40 years of wandering. ( Numbers 14:28-29) However, Caleb and Joshua -- because of their faithfulness and TRUST IN GOD -- would be allowed to enter. ( Numbers 14:30)

We too should be careful what it is for which we wish because we just might get it and in the process miss out on the greater things God may have in mind! Whatever we might want or think we need, we ought to TRUST IN WHAT GOD WILLS for our life. (note Ephesians 3:20) Do we not believe that He is able to provide what is adequate and truly best? Perhaps we know that intellectually, but we ought to live in a way that actively demonstrates such TRUST IN HIS WILL. May we, like Paul (note Philippians 4:11-13), learn contentment in the wise provision of God.

Have a great day TRUSTING WHAT GOD WISHES TO PROVIDE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on God's Will