Trials, Testing and Teachings (“A Recipe for Victory”)

Scripture: Exodus 16:4 CSB - Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions.”
     
It was the Lord who heard the Israelites cry, and thus brought them out of bondage (slavery) from Egypt single handed. During their pilgrimage; the Lord constantly reminded them of how He brought them out the land of Egypt.  Instead of an attitude of praise to the Lord. They complained and had a rebellious heart against the Lord. Yet, He fed them with manna from heaven with specific instructions that He might test them to see if they would walk in His law or not. The Lord already knew what was in their heart, but did the Israelites know their own heart? Their minds were not on pleasing the Lord. It was on “what shall we eat ?” and “What Shall we drink?” That mindset revealed an anxious heart, not a trusting heart.  The Israelites should have focused on the glory of God rather than on their own comforts. When you walk by faith one would bring honor to His name Being  comfortable in life is not important, but it is important that God is glorified. Surely, they’d  missed a few meals as they once knew, and they thirsted for water. However, the Lord knew what they stood in need of. He  heard their murmuring and, in His grace and mercy met their needs. The Lord was testing them to see if they would believe and obey.  He promised to take them into a land flowing with milk and honey. The Lord would not save them just to bury them in the wilderness. He was teaching them that He cared for them. He was instructing them in life lessons that they would need now and in the future. Life  involves new lessons, new experiences, challenge after challenge, to help mature and glorify God. The Lord desired that the Israelites lean fully on Him. Matter of fact, they had no other option in the wilderness  classroom.
    
The Israelites had never been in such a  situation before --  leaving Egypt with fear and uncertainty, carrying everything they had in tow. About 600 thousand men on foot plus children (Exodus 12:27) along with flocks and livestock,  moved place to place without clearly defined path or route. Their movement was at the command of the Lord. They ate manna that fell from Heaven, each and every day for forty years until they reached the borders of the land of Canaan. Providing manna was a way that the Lord used to have the Israelites rely fully on Him. They followed the simple instructions day by day for six days they gathered. Twice as much was gathered on the day before the Sabbath. The Sabbath was their holy day. His instructions showed that He was teaching the principles that He provides for His peoples one day at a time. See (Matt. 6:11).
     
Along the journey there were trials which were allowed by the Lord to reveal things in their heart and strengthen their faith. God permits trials so that He can build godly character in His children. Today, that godly character in us would look more like Jesus.  Every new experience only brought out the worst attitude in them. Rather than being obedient, they quarreled with their earthly leader Moses; for they were walking in unbelief, wanting to go back to the old life in Egypt. Their minds stayed in Egypt. For they robbed themselves of opportunity to grow spiritually. Instead they wanted to return to the old life in Egypt. Trials could have worked for the Israelites if they had trusted the Lord and allowed Him to have His way. A trial can make you better or bitter.

Prayer: Lord, help me to move self out of the way -- allowing You to have Your way in my life. Lead me, guide me along the way. Oh, while You lead, I cannot stray in my mind. For, I realize that You know what is best for me and Your timing is always right. You allow trials in my life for Your divine purpose, presenting Your testing until I am on tract to honoring and giving You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

(by Novella D Carpenter)