No Thanks

I can’t count the number of times in my life that I’ve caught myself acting like an Israelite, fresh out of Egypt. Their list of faults could easily match mine: idealizing the past, forgetting God’s power, doubting His word, complaining about…much of life. 

Even after God miraculously brought water out of rock and bread out of nothing, here’s what they said:

“There is nothing at all but this manna to look at!” Num 11:4-6

“There is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Num 21:5

The appearance of manna each morning was no longer enough, because, to them, what God provided had become repetitive, at best, and repulsive, at worst. Do you label part of God’s provision in your life with one of those words? I’m as guilty as they were. 

Repetitive. This (fill in the blank) is just plain boring. 

Repulsive. I’m sick of this (fill in the blank)! No thanks, God.

No thanks. We’ve stumbled upon a fundamental flaw, then and now. We give God no thanks.  

A quick Google search of the word thankfulness, shows that the medical field now prescribes the same directive that originates in Scripture: be thankful. It turns out that this spiritual act of worship is also a physically restorative practice.  Are we surprised that our Creator asks of us what can also benefit us? 

If Israel was tired of seeing miraculous manna everywhere and sick of its taste, then I too am susceptible to rejecting God’s everyday provision. The way to guard against that is thankfulness. So this week, I’m taking particular note of what I taste and what I see, because I want to keep tasting and continue seeing that the Lord is good. 

Each day, I’m writing down 3 things I’ve tasted and 3 things I’ve seen that make me thankful for the One who gave me these senses to experience His good provision. Want to join me in this Perspective Project? I’d love to hear what’s on your list!