True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?… he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven … He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore … In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. Psalm 78:20-33
Faith is supposed to build on past experiences. You would expect that seeing God provide for your needs would build trust for future trials. Yet this wasn’t the case for the Israelites.
It wasn’t the lack of evidence that caused their lack of faith but rather an unwillingness to change their thinking in view of God’s provision. God supplied water, manna and meat. Yet no matter how much God provided it was never enough to change their minds. They continue to question God’s ability or perhaps his willingness to provide for them. “In spite of his wonders, they did not believe.” They made the choice not to believe.
Sadly their refusal meant their lives ended in futility. God was preparing them for a future in a land of their own but without the faith to accept this, their lives had no purpose. Wandering around the wilderness was meaningless if they didn’t realize God had a greater plan for them. Without faith, they were also terrified because if they didn’t trust God there was no basis for their security.
Today we can reflect on the ways God has kept us and allow our past experiences to build our trust. If we don’t trust God our lives will lack purpose and security.
