A 31-day Lenten Devotional Series by Rev. Dave Brown
Thirty days into the journey, however, when the Lord commanded them to depart from Elim’s Palm Springs and enter the wilderness of Sin, the people’s confidence faltered. They were afraid that they would run out of food, just as they had run out of water on an earlier occasion. As a result, “the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled.”
This was not the first time they grumbled, nor would it be the last. In fact, on at least 15 different occasions we hear of grumbling in Exodus. The word may be translated “growling, murmuring, whining.” It was aimed against God, against Moses, against Aaron. Grumbling carries the connotation of “wearing out another by complaining. Grumbling against God is declaring that God is not sufficiently good, faithful, loving, wise, powerful, or competent.”
In this chapter we see that the LORD responded to grumbling with grace and favor, but also with purpose. “Behold, I am about to 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 they will walk in my law or not.
If the provision of water in the wilderness was the first test, the second test pertained to the provision of food, and the third test addressed the issue of the sabbath. Manna was given to the people of Israel early in the morning and at the end of the day, quail came up and covered the camp in response to their anxious fears of starvation.
The instructions that the LORD communicated through Moses, addressed the third test: Will you walk in my law or not? Will you trust me enough to find a rhythm in your life that includes rest? Perhaps, they had been unable to practice a sabbath during their slave days in Egypt, but now they could put this in place. Sabbath is a time to reflect on the grace and goodness of God and to rest in him.
Why does God give us trials? James answers at the outset of his salty epistle. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let your steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Facing tests is the path to maturity. When we joyfully engage in the tests given by God, we learn perseverance. This in turn reshapes our character. Only those people who willingly accept trials sent from God become perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Reflections: Are you going through a test right now? Consider what the LORD has in mind as He puts it in front of you. He is calling you to walk in His law, to remember that He is the LORD your God, that he is your Savior, your healer, your provider. Remember that he who saved you is the one who has promised to sanctify you wholly. The Apostle Paul put it this way to the Philippians: “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus.” (Ph 1:6) Rest assured!