It had been a home blessed by care if not by money.”
–Louis L’Amour (The First Fast Draw)
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
–Psalm 34:1 (NKJV)
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How many times has God met your need? Oh, you may say that you did it yourself, that you provided the food on the table. But did you really? Who gave you life? Who gave you health? Who gave you the ability? Then when we see a real miracle, we soon forget. Look at the children of Israel in the wilderness. God provided miracle after miracle and their reaction–COMPLAIN. If you want to really get God mad, begin to complain, especially about the things He has provided for you. Ponder the words of Psalm 78:17-31 (NKJV)
17 — But they sinned even more against Him by rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness.
18 — And they tested God in their heart by asking for food of their fancy.
19 — Yes, the spoke against God: they said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 — Behold, He struck the rock, so that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?”
21 — Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel.
22 — Because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation.
23 — Yet He had commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven,
24 — He rained down manna on them to eat, and given them the bread of heaven.
25 — Men ate angels’ food; He sent them food to the full.
26 — He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; and by His power He brought in the south wind.
27 — He also rained meat on them like the dust, feathered fowl like the sand of the seas;
28 — And He let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.
29 — So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them their own desire.
30 — They were not deprived of their craving; but while their food was still in their mouths,
31 — The wrath of God came against them, and slew the stoutest of them, and struck down the choice men of Israel.
These people had the audacity to say that God did not take care of them properly. They saw the miracle of food and yet they continued to complain. I remember my youngest daughter – when she was small she always had to have something to drink at night. She always waited until she had gone to bed, then would cry out for water. Being parents who wanted to comfort and aid their children, one of us would go to the kitchen, fetch a glass and pour some water for her. Upon handing it to her she would look at it, then whimper, “not that kind of water.” Israel wanted food, but when given they gathered and ate, but complained and you can hear them, “not that kind of food.”
One of the things that God expects from His people is gratefulness. That is the main reason when we sit down at the table we thank the Lord for his blessings. Sometimes it is special, sometimes it is good, and then sometimes it is sustenance. He freely gives. He is the Almighty God and our Father. It is up to us to believe and be thankful. F. B. Meyer said, “There is no if with God; there is no limit to his almightiness but thy unbelief.”
Instead of going through ritual dinner prayer, be truly grateful. The words might be the same, but pray them with the heart and sincerity. When He blesses us be thankful for His many blessings and don’t complain. That is like slapping the Lord. “I don’t want this,” “I wasn’t expecting You to do it this way,” “I don’t want that kind of water.” He knows what is best for us and what we need–not necessarily what we want or wish for.
“Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee,
Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love he befriend thee.”
–Joachim Neander
————————————–
How many times has God met your need? Oh, you may say that you did it yourself, that you provided the food on the table. But did you really? Who gave you life? Who gave you health? Who gave you the ability? Then when we see a real miracle, we soon forget. Look at the children of Israel in the wilderness. God provided miracle after miracle and their reaction–COMPLAIN. If you want to really get God mad, begin to complain, especially about the things He has provided for you. Ponder the words of Psalm 78:17-31 (NKJV)
17 — But they sinned even more against Him by rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness.
18 — And they tested God in their heart by asking for food of their fancy.
19 — Yes, the spoke against God: they said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 — Behold, He struck the rock, so that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?”
21 — Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel.
22 — Because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation.
23 — Yet He had commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven,
24 — He rained down manna on them to eat, and given them the bread of heaven.
25 — Men ate angels’ food; He sent them food to the full.
26 — He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; and by His power He brought in the south wind.
27 — He also rained meat on them like the dust, feathered fowl like the sand of the seas;
28 — And He let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.
29 — So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them their own desire.
30 — They were not deprived of their craving; but while their food was still in their mouths,
31 — The wrath of God came against them, and slew the stoutest of them, and struck down the choice men of Israel.
These people had the audacity to say that God did not take care of them properly. They saw the miracle of food and yet they continued to complain. I remember my youngest daughter – when she was small she always had to have something to drink at night. She always waited until she had gone to bed, then would cry out for water. Being parents who wanted to comfort and aid their children, one of us would go to the kitchen, fetch a glass and pour some water for her. Upon handing it to her she would look at it, then whimper, “not that kind of water.” Israel wanted food, but when given they gathered and ate, but complained and you can hear them, “not that kind of food.”
One of the things that God expects from His people is gratefulness. That is the main reason when we sit down at the table we thank the Lord for his blessings. Sometimes it is special, sometimes it is good, and then sometimes it is sustenance. He freely gives. He is the Almighty God and our Father. It is up to us to believe and be thankful. F. B. Meyer said, “There is no if with God; there is no limit to his almightiness but thy unbelief.”
Instead of going through ritual dinner prayer, be truly grateful. The words might be the same, but pray them with the heart and sincerity. When He blesses us be thankful for His many blessings and don’t complain. That is like slapping the Lord. “I don’t want this,” “I wasn’t expecting You to do it this way,” “I don’t want that kind of water.” He knows what is best for us and what we need–not necessarily what we want or wish for.
“Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee,
Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love he befriend thee.”
–Joachim Neander