Read Psalm 106:13-18. 13But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. 14But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; 15he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them. 16When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord, 17the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. 18Fire also broke out in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
Discontentment. Impatience. Envy. Jealousy. Anger. Conflict. Rebellion. All this and more is the back drop of the book of Numbers, which the psalmist recalls in this section of psalm 106.
Sin, all sin, is a refusal to participate in what God is doing. It is rooted in the desire to do things our own way. To think we know better than God. Manna is not enough; we need quail. Moses is not leading us well; we need a new leader. Sometimes God will shut down our rebellion with swift and deliberate discipline. Other times, like the Prodigal Son, God will give us what we ask and let nature take its course.
Whatever form of discipline and judgment God is using in your life right now, whether swift or slow, you can be sure that because you are in Christ it is part of his covenant care for you. Whatever his discipline looks like today it is the all-important reminder that left to your own devices you would be doomed.
Christians, you still need a savior. Every day you need Christ’s gracious provision in and through himself to guide your life through the wilderness and toward the promised land. To live is Christ will not let you go a single minute without the hand of God upon you. The hand of his loving discipline burning up the chaff of sin that remains in your heart until you are like him for seeing him as he is.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Prayer. Jesus, every day I try to go my own way at some point. But you keep brining me back by your rod and your staff. Keep me on the path of holiness today through this wilderness life. Amen.
To Live is Christ 