Remember What God Has Done

…watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Deuteronomy 6:12 (NLT)

This week I’ve spent time in Psalms 95 which begins with a call to sing praises as we worship God.  The first few verses focus on how great God is and what He has done.  But verse 8 is the one that captured my thoughts as I read it again this week:

“Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah.”

I needed a reminder of the situation at Meribah and the events leading up to it. The footnotes in my study bible pointed to Exodus 17:1-7.  Here’s a summary:

The people of Israel had been led by Moses out of slavery in Egypt and were crossing the wilderness toward the land God had promised Abraham and his descendants several centuries earlier. They had camped at a location where there was no water.  A desperate situation, of course!  The people demanded that Moses give them water.  They grumbled against him asking, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

I looked at the previous chapters in Exodus to be reminded of what had taken place leading up to this situation. In chapters 13 and 14 the Egyptian Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave.  But soon he changed his mind and he followed after them with his entire army.  The people saw the army coming and said to Moses, “It would have been better for us to stay and serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”  Moses told them, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord… The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:13-14). God miraculously opened up the Red Sea so the people could cross on dry land! As the Egyptian army followed them, they were all drowned.

Soon after that (chapter 15) the people again grumbled at Moses because they had found no water in the wilderness.  God miraculously provided water for them. 

In chapter 16, the Israelites again grumbled at Moses because they were hungry. Once again, God miraculously provided by sending manna every morning and meat in the evening.  “And you shall know that I am the Lord your God” (verses 1-12). 

Do you see the pattern? The people grumbling, complaining to Moses, and then God miraculously providing everything they needed. He had proven Himself many times!

Now, back to Exodus chapter 17.  After all the Israelites had experienced – their release from slavery in Egypt, the Red Sea parting so they could cross on dry land, miraculous provision of water and food in the wilderness – we might be tempted to think, “What is wrong with these people who grumbled and complained every time there was a desperate need instead of just trusting God to provide! Wouldn’t you think they would begin to realize that God was with them and would faithfully provide everything they needed?”

I realize this is a lesson for our lives today. How will we respond when we face seemingly impossible issues?  Instead of grumbling and worrying and trying to figure everything out on our own, we need to look back at how God has provided in our own lives.  If you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith in His death for the forgiveness of your sin, you have the promise of eternal life. He gives the Holy Spirit to live in you. As followers of Jesus, we can set our minds on the promises in His Word that assure us of His knowledge of absolutely everything we are going through, His constant presence, His faithful love, His unlimited power to provide, His perfect strength in our weakness.  We can remember who God is, what He has done, and choose to believe and be thankful that He will provide – no matter what we are going through!

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What are you going through right now that could tempt you to grumble and complain?

Are you willing to turn instead to trusting God for His provision?

Here are some scriptures to help focus our attention on God’s promises:

Philippians 4:19 My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord is the one who is going ahead of you; He will be with you.  He will not desert you or abandon you.  Do not fear and do not be dismayed.

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Philippians 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.