Read Psalm 78:26-31. 26He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind; 27he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas; 28he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings. 29And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved. 30But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, 31the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.
This part of the psalm comes from the book of Numbers chapter 11. The drama unfolded something like this:
The people: It was better for us in Egypt. We’re tired of only manna. Moses, give us meat to eat.
Moses: I can’t deal with these people and their demands. Where am I going to find meat for all these people. Just kill me God.
God: OK, they want meat, here’s meat – He rained meat on them like dust.
Then this happened:
Numbers 11:33-34. 33While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. 34Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (Grave of Craving), because there they buried the people who had the craving.
Here’s what God knows about us that we rarely know about ourselves: Our cravings for the things of this world will not only fail to satisfy us, but will actually become loathsome to us (Numbers 11:20). What we beg God for, we end up hating. God give me a spouse. God I hate my spouse. God give me the job. God this job is killing me. God bless my ministry. God I’m burnt out on ministry. God heal me, keep me alive. God I’m facing death all over again.
Do you have the craving? Peter called it slavery. Paul called it the paradox of callous sensuality. We call it addiction. The more you get, the less it satisfies.
Only Jesus, the Manna of life, is infinite enough to satisfy every craving of our souls. Only the love of Christ is an addiction that won’t leave you loathing what you demanded. Only to live is Christ offers a reality simple enough to dispel the pressures of life, and glorious enough to motivate a purposeful life.
You: Where have you felt “the craving” in your own life?
You in Christ: Why can only union with an infinite love satisfy us?
Christ in you: What “meat” do you need to replace with the “manna” of Christ?
Pray: Father, by your grace replace my craving with a longing for your love today, for I know that you alone can truly satisfy. Amen.
To Live is Christ 