Sandy's Devotional

They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents overflowed. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel because they did not believe God or rely on His salvation. Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of the heavens. He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven. Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance. (Psalm 78:18-25)

We should never allow ourselves to say, “CAN GOD?”, but rather train ourselves to say, “GOD CAN.” God had shown His provision over and over, yet they continued to doubt and question.  All of us can so easily be guilty of this same ingratitude which so deeply pains God. Ingratitude, doubting God’s care and power, insults Him to His face because He is present and close. Let’s compare the doubt of the people in this Psalm to the security and trust of the Psalmist in Psalm 23: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” Trust in God’s goodness brings fullness and peace; mistrust brings pain. “Lord, help us to be grateful and to trust in your goodness.”