“I will utter hidden things of old which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done…which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;”
Do I tell my children of the good the Lord has done? Do I point to His providence and give Him the glory for the things we enjoy? To the degree that it becomes imprinted on their hearts so they will purpose to tell it to their children? Do I teach my children with a fervency that reaches my grandchildren?
“Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt…but they sinned even more against Him by rebelling against the Most High. And they tested God in their heart by asking for the food of their fancy. Yes, they spoke against God: they said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’
Therefore, the Lord heard this and was furious…anger came up against Israel, because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation.”
Oh the Word that pierces my heart! How many times have I doubted the salvation of the Lord? How many times have I complained and wanted more, though His provisions were evident? How many times has He sent manna and I demanded steak?
How many times have I not believed He is able, though He has proven His power again and again?
Why have I walked in the footsteps of our fathers? Those rebellious and stiff-necked people, ungrateful and provoking the Lord to anger.
How often have I passed down to my children NOT the power of the Lord’s salvation, but a complaining spirit that fears tomorrow when He has provided manna for today? (Remember how the Lord rebuked Israel for attempting to gather for tomorrow?)
May I walk in newness of faith–that sweet, blissful place where my heart soars in peace and anticipation of great things He is doing because I know of the great things He has done!
9 comments
Ditto! It is so easy to judge those we read about in Scriptures as they stumbled. Then the Lord says, “Here, let me show you something,” as He holds a mirror in front of me. Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” I am so thankful He brings me to the end of myself so that I look into His Face. I am so thankful my children see my sin and know that He offers more. I am so blessed to have a Loving Heavenly Father who will not leave me this way. He will bring to completion that which He began!!! There is so much hope in that Promise!!!
Stepping on my toes today Kelly. (Really stomping on my heart …Had to remind myself of the same things on Sunday as I sat at home with a sick child listening to radio sermons!) Can God? God can!
Such a great reminder! My children are all so little yet, that I don’t think about my grandchildren that often. Thank-you!
How the world confines us, confuses us…and His small voice so hard to hear over this cultural clatter. Thank you for the reminder to cling so tightly to His Word, to trust in His Hope, even when it is obscure.
http://freeagentmommy.typepad.com/blog/2010/11/hope-inside.html
Great verse and reminder! To question that God will do what He has said He would do can make Him furious!
Yikes! The thing brought to my mind when reading this is the numerous times I ask Him the same question just to “make sure” I heard right. No wonder I have often heard “I already answered you.”
May this be my last lap around the desert learning that one!!!!
Ooh- great post! And very timely…we are going through some changes right now and even though in my prayers I acknowledge that He can do anything, I still find myself questioning or stressing. Thanks for the reminder.
I think it takes great faith in Him (especially in the area of provisions) when we can’t see forward. Like when Jesus said that greater are they blessed who cannot see yet believe (be-living…an outward sign or work…can be seen by others.) You are so right Kelly, we do complain way too much and I’m sure it has to do with being spoilt. Like how the Lord knows that we complain because we think we are poor, yet we are rich. I just watched a doco on Etheopia and the lengths they go to to turn unassuming plants and animals into food and it’s always with a smile and sharing. How blind we are to His provision for us.
Do I teach my children with a fervency that reaches my grandchildren?
A soul penetrating question. How do we find that kind of ‘intense joy expressiveness’ of all the things the Lord is doing in us as individuals and collectively as a family, and further as the whole body of Christ? It is a holy work for sure, possible only through the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit. Things I’ve been pondering on as of late. I appreciate your authenticity Kelly.
Totally off subject, but I had a mocha frappe tonight and thought of you! 😉
I also appreciated the question “Do I teach my children with a fervency that reaches my grandchildren?” Sometimes I will tell my littles “When you are a mommy(daddy)and YOU tell YOUR children about Jesus, then…”
Also, on the sentence:
Yes, they spoke against God: they said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’
I had a crisis of faith the other day. I didn’t ask THIS question but rather, “You call THIS a table?” Such unthankfulness. In my heart, I thought “God, you can do better than this. Why don’t you?” It came down to surrender (again) my will for God’s will and being thankful. I pray that God would teach me to number my days. We do need to humble ourselves before God and realize our wretchedness at times. How often do I remember that my righteousness is as filthy rags? Then, I am thankful.