Read Psalm 78:17-25. 17Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. 18They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. 19They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? 20He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?” 21Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, 22because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power. 23Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, 24and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. 25Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.
There appears to be this truth in scripture that the more God does for us, the more miracles he performs, the less we appreciate it. Coming out of Egypt after seeing the plagues, the Passover, and the drowning of Pharaoh’s army, the children of Israel still could not just stay calm and trust God.
Therefore, the Lord was full of wrath.
Can we blame him? And yet he rained down the grain of heaven upon the people, and sent them food in abundance. For Jesus the parallel is found in John 6. Feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes, then listen to the grateful people give thanks to God for his compassionate provision? Nope. Instead this is what Christ heard:
John 6:30. So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?”
Show us MORE. Do something else. Impress us. Prove yourself. What else you got? Multiply food? Big deal, make it rain down from heaven like Moses did.
How sad it is when those who are in Christ cannot simply accept the miracle of our union with Christ as enough. How pitiful are we when we stop believing that the Bread of Life nourishes and satisfies? When we start asking, “What else can God do for me?” “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?”
Of course he can. But does he want to? To live is Christ means trusting him either way. In abounding and in abasing.
You: Is union with Christ enough for you? Be honest?
You in Christ: In what way is there nothing more or better to gain from God than what we already have in our union with Christ?
Christ in you: Jesus was tempted in the wilderness to ask for more. How did he withstand the temptation? How can you?
Pray: Father, I don’t want to test you. I want to trust you. Let my union with your Son, even his life in the wilderness be enough for me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 