Never Test God

Have we tested God? Children of Israel did so and got punishments.

In Numbers 11 – 14, God was in wrath because children of Israel were unthankful and kept complaining. They didn’t believe in God but wanted their own way.

Facing many complaints, Moses had difficulty in bearing the burden. He must seek God’s support. He also interceded with God for HIS people.

After God burning the complaining guys, people wanted to eat flesh and HE provided quail. Nothing is impossible to the LORD because HE has full control over everything, including who could receive the Spirit and prophesied for HIM. No man can interfere with HIM.

God keeps a record for everyone and punishes people according to their own deeds. HE punished people with plague due to their craving for eating flesh.

Craving blinds people taking things for granted, thinking God as a magician that must provide if we ask; otherwise, we complain to God without reverence. We fail to appreciate HIS blessings to us and become greedier than ever.

Craving tears us away from God. We forget to thank and praise the LORD, but blame HIM and produce dirty tricks to satisfy our wicked appetite. Many people don’t ask for the right thing, don’t trust in God for the best alternative, and they disbelieve HIM.

Besides greed, jealousy is another man’s common failing. Aaron and Miriam complained to the LORD because they envied Moses. Miriam was punished with leprosy for seven days. Respect God’s faithful servant and never speak against HIM or challenge the given authority.

When God is with us, we should fear nothing. However, children of Israel forgot HIS omnipotence and acted upon their fear. They refused to enter Canaan after hearing the report of giants living there. They blamed God for sending them into the wild and wanted to return to Egypt. They didn’t recall God’s wondrous works and almost stoned Joshua and Caleb, who believed in HIM and suggested fear not.

God granted Israel pardon because Moses interceded again. The rebels received death penalty. The punishment for the rest was neither one could see the Promised Land except Joshua and Caleb and they had to stay in the wild for 40 years.

Children of Israel launched an attack afterwards, without God’s command and so, the effort became futile. Without God, man is nothing.

Learn a lesson and do some self-examination. Are we like children of Israel? For example, being unthankful, envying others, disbelieving God for knowing and giving us the best, misusing HIS love to us. Have we forgotten HIS wondrous works and do not fear HIM? In short, we may not know the LORD well enough, or even refuse to know HIM so that we could do whatever we like.

Whoever tests God is sin against HIM and will be punished.

Let’s pray to God:

Our merciful Father, please help us cultivate our faith and be thankful to You. Give us the wisdom to ask for Your help aptly. Never test nor transgress You forever and ever. Amen.