Read: Exodus 15:22-17:7
If you are one of the people who knows me well, you will know that I have been a huge Villanova basketball fan since I was in college. But lately I haven’t been a very faithful fan due to my numerous complaints. They haven’t won more than half of their games. Now, they did beat one of the best teams on their schedule, but a few days later they lost to the worst team in their division. In other words, they stink regardless of having had one of the best coaches in college basketball. They have the AA best record in the past 10 years while winning the championship twice out of three trips to the “Big Dance”.
THE NATURAL REACTION
It seems like when things aren’t going the way I think they should, complaining seems to be my natural reaction. And as we look at the passage in Exodus, it seems like the Israelites had the same “what about us?” reaction. The Israelites had just made a miraculous escape from a land they had been captive in for over 400 years. God performed so many miracles: the 10 plagues, the provisions which the Egyptians provided for the Israelites’ exodus, and of course the parting of the Red Sea which allowed the people to cross over while destroying the Egyptian army.
None of this history seemed to matter when things weren’t going the way of the people. After they entered the Desert of Shur in the Northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, the people went three days without water until they came to Marah. Plenty of water existed, but none of it was drinkable. The water was “bitter”. The people were angry and attacked the name of Moses.
THE STILL COULD NOT TRUST GOD
Instead of trusting God, they complained to Moses and asked, “What are we supposed to do?” Despite all that God had done for them, they still could not trust Him. They were in the pit of despair. Moses to prayed to God Who made the water drinkable once again. Did God provide for them? Yes, God provided many ways.
GOD’S BAKERY
God provided manna and quail for them as they headed toward Sinai. The bread came early in the morning with the dew. It was unique bread, since the translation of “manna” means “What is this?”
GOD’S REST
The Lord provided rest for the people. He instructed them not to gather bread on the seventh day but rather twice the amount of what was needed on the sixth day. Disobedient as usual, a lot of the people went out and gathered bread on the seventh day. The did not grasp that God is The Provider. Despair is easier than trusting.
EASIER TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU CAN SEE HIM
While they were camping at Rephidim, they again had no water. Repeatedly, God showed how merciful He is. He had Moses strike the rock and water flowed everywhere. But as usual, the people again rebelled against Moses. It is so much easier to trust God when you can see Him.
CRITICS OF THE SOVEREIGN GOD
When next year comes around, and Villanova is winning games again, I will be cheering them on to victory (at least until they start losing again…) Isn’t that how we are with our lives? When things are going great, we praise Him with our voices. When the money is tight, when our mom is in the hospital, when we are really struggling, we begin to ask the question, “Why God? Why are you allowing this to happen? Why don’t you help us out?” Suddenly, we become critics of our Sovereign God.
THE WAY OUT OF DESPAIR
Rather than complain about God’s methods, why not turn to the scriptures and trust in what the Bible says: “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).