It is never good to tempt the Lord, for in so doing, the Lord will not help us. And if you are like me, I need God’s hand in my life more than ever before. Now, the Israelites had encounters with God through Moses and Aaron, however, they continued to murmur and tempt God because of first being hungry and then being thirsty. It is fine to ask God for help but to say that the Lord no longer cares for us because we are hungry or thirsty is wrong. It is written concerning the Israelites. “And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” (Exodus 17:1-3)
God would have very well done nothing because of the people temping God in their murmurings if Moses had not stood up and cried unto the Lord in prayer for help. This was all the Lord had to hear and He was ready to quench their thirst with water. It is written, “and Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:4-6) To complain in the sight of God does nothing good. We must always remember this. However, what helps is asking the Lord for assistance when we are in need. Then, through mysterious ways and in His timing, He will provide for our needs. Praise God that we have a Father who so desires to care for His children as long as they are in need of Him. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will do unto me as You please. You know exactly what I need in this life and I ask that You supply those needs. I am sorry for complaining when I am sick, in pain, having lost a job, in financial issues, when marriage is hard, and more. Instead of all these murmurings and complaints, I could have very well prayed for healing, to remove the pain, to find a better job, help us to pay the bills and have food on the table, to help me become a better husband, and more. I am sorry, God. Forgive me for all the times I doubted what You could do for me. So often have I forgotten You when life is hard. I should have come to You for help and I didn’t. Have mercy for my soul. I am sorry for the times I have sinned against You in this life. As for my life now, I am still a work in progress, while trying to let You in my life daily. Have patience with me, Lord. I need to know that Your love for me will never fail. I want to know You, Lord, and have You know me. This way I will be ready when I die. Have Your way in me. You are my God, and there is no one like You. Light up my life, Lord. I love You. Amen.
Amen! Let us not complain against God but praise Him.