God Always Provides

All through the Bible we see that God loves His people....and He always provides for His people.  Today's lesson shows the example of this principle when God provided manna and quails for the people of Israel.  God had brought the people out of the land of Egypt, out of slavery and oppression, had helped them cross the Red Sea on dry land by parting the waters, and was leading them toward the promised land.  God delivered them and thought they would be appreciative.

Soon, the people became concerned about the lack of food and started complaining.  We learn from the Bible that God does not appreciate complaining.  He was upset with His people, but He showed great patience with them and love, too.  He gave them manna and quails.  We read in Exodus 16 that the manna was a type of bread dough that they got from God in the morning and baked.  Then quails were provided in the evening which they would boil for eating. 

We read on in the Old Testament that the Israelites were so turning away from God that He made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years before going into the promised land, the land of Canaan, what is today the nation of Israel.  Later in this period of wandering, God again became upset with their complaining.  Numbers 11 tells, "Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused.  So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp."  They then began complaining about the lack of meat again.  Apparently, the quails had been stopped for awhile and now they were unhappy.  God provided them quails again but in such quantity that it made them sick.

There are many lessons to be drawn here.  The main one is that God is extremely gracious to His people.  He saves, He delivers, He wants to help them...and does.  It is the same with us today who are His followers.  He not only gave us His only Son, but He continues to give and to care.

Another lesson  is that God doesn't appreciate complaining.  He didn't like it then and He doesn't like it now.

In summary, we must first be sure that we are committed to Him, that we are a true follower.  And we should know that He provides, He takes care of His own.  And we must appreciate the care and love He gives us, not complaining in any way.

Thanks for reading.  I hope your week is great!