God's Promise (Ex. 16:4-5, 8, 11-12)

5/17/2008 9:28 AM

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time           Focus:  God’s promise

Bible Reading & Meditation               Reference:  Exodus 16:4-5, 8, 11-12

            Message of the verses:  “4  Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

5  "On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily."

            8  Moses said, "This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD."

            11  And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12  "I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’"

            Paul writes a couple of times in his NT writings that the things that happened in the OT were recorded for the benefit of believer’s in the NT era, and it is good to remember these statements when reading a passage like this.  God answered the murmurings of the children of Israel by giving them these promises recorded in this passage.  God answers were because of His grace, mercy, and love, and not because they were murmuring against Him.  In his commentary on this section Dr. Wiersbe writes about trusting in the promises of God especially when trials come to us, and not to ask God why these trials were coming to us, for when one does ask why they are acting like they are superior to the God of the universe.  “Asking God “why” also assumes that if God did explain His plans and purposes to us, we’d understand everything perfectly and feel better.”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  When life is not going the way that I would like it to then on more than one occasion I have probably ask that dreaded question “why,” and I have learned that it is better to trust in the promises of the Lord, and instead of asking why ask God for the grace that I need to get through each day trusting in His promises.