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“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.” Hebrews 3:4-6

Do you ever read the Exodus events and think, “Good grief! How could those Israelites be so dumb? How could they complain and continue to be so disobedient when God (a) miraculously rescued them from slavery in Egypt and (b) continually and miraculously provides for them daily?” They see His glorious works, yet when He tells them what’s next i.e., entering into the Promise Land—they’re like, “Nope. We can’t possibly trust Your plan, God. We prefer to do things our way.” Silly Israelites.

Early on in my walk with the Lord, whenever I studied God’s people in the Old Testament, I’d practically shout at the page as if they could hear me: “You literally just experienced God’s Sovereignty and provision! How could you respond with complaints and gripes—or worse yet, turn to worship idols?!” But the older I get and the longer I travel with Jesus, the more empathy I have for those Israelites (and the less harsh I judge them). It’s not that I read these incidents with any less head-shaking or perceive the people as any less dumb…I just have come to recognize the same foolishness in my own life.

See, just like the Israelites in the Exodus events, believers like you and me are surrounded by God’s miracles every day. And—I’ll speak for myself here—I find myself complaining way too much and even turning to idols. I kick against the goad of what the Lord is telling me to do…and I trust more in my plans and ways (asking Him to bless them) versus trusting in His higher ways that are unfathomable to me (Isaiah 55:8-9). I mean, how much different from the Israelite crowd would I have been, really, given my own behavior today? Sadly, I’d likely be whining about how good things used to be in Egypt, how sick I am of manna for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and how delicious a quail sandwich would be.

Friend, the Israelites’ experience foreshadowed our abundant life in Christ. Consider these truths with me:

• The Israelites were spared death through the blood of a lamb and rescued out of bondage to the Egyptians (Exodus 12:1-13). I was spared eternal death through the Blood of the Lamb and rescued out of bondage to sin and darkness.
• They had the glorious presence of God leading their every step—a pillar of smoke during the day and fire at night (Exodus 13:21-22). I have the very presence of God living in me—the Holy Spirit—guiding, counseling, convicting, and leading me every step of the way (if I yield to Him).
• The Israelites were given daily bread from heaven (manna) to feed their bodies and fuel their journey to the Promise Land (Exodus 16:4). I have been given the Bread of Life, Jesus, who nourishes my soul and fuels my journey to the ultimate Promised Land: Heaven.
• The Israelites were provided water from a rock to quench their desert thirst (Exodus 17:1-7). I have Living Water from the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ—never to thirst again for the things of this world that will never satisfy.
• The Lord visited the Israelites in the desert, coming down to the mountain on the third day—but they could not go near the mountain for threat of death (Exodus 19). Oh, sweet friend, God came down again—Emmanuel—to visit His people. And after His brutal death on the cross (the death we deserve), He rose again on the third day to end the separation with God and bring us close to Himself.

As followers of Jesus Christ, my life and yours is truly filled with miracles—the greatest being our salvation by grace through faith. Let’s step away from the complaining crowd. Instead, let’s keep our eyes open to see God’s Providence, provision, and glorious work each day. Let’s put away the griping and the “my way” attitude, yielding to the great God-glorifying things He is doing around us.

“Lord, forgive me for taking my eyes off of You and pushing away Your hand in my life. May I focus (without complaint!) on the daily miracles You provide—and join You in Your work.”

 For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life