WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND WONDERS OF GOD'S PROVISION YOU MIGHT BE MISSING?

WHAT DOES GOD'S PROVISION LOOK LIKE?

“…the Lord brought us forth ….with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders…” (EZEKIEL 13:3 KJV).

*

We have learned about the MIRACLE of God’s deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians and the GREAT DELIVERANCE through the Red Sea. God, “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

“… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh…” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I the LORD … the first, and with the last. I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB).  “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…You are very GREAT…” (Psalm 104:1-2 NASB).

“… he [THAT] hath done marvellous things…” (Psalm 98:1 KJV).

Yet, God needed to further introduce himself to his people. “…God is [also] the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…God will generously PROVIDE all you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want …” (Psalms 23:1 KJV). “… You will always have everything you need  …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). JEHOVAH –JIREH means: "The Lord Will Provide."

Now as the Israelites began their journey through the wilderness they  came to realized they didn’t have ANY food or drink. They murmured and complained to Moses and Aaron. “…The whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death…” (Exodus 16:2-3 NLT).

They hadn’t fully realized it was God Almighty who had bought them out of Egypt. “…Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord…” (Exodus 16:6-7 NLT).

Therefore, their complaints were NOT against Moses and Aaron, but God. “…the Lord … has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” Then Moses added, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us…” (Nehemiah 9:9-12 NLT).

Yet, God responded with patient love. “… I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

God is love and love is patient. Love is kind. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love is patient, love is kind… It is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs …Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). …” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness…” (Psalms 145:17 NLT).

God took FULL responsibility for the PROVISIONS of His people and he HELPED them. “…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…” (Psalms 37:40 NLT). “…Blessed are those who wait for his help…” (Isaiah 30:18 NLT). “…The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid …my servant …my chosen one…” (Isaiah 44:2 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT).  “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT). “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the [Israelites were given PROVISIONS in the wilderness] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

 “…That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground.  The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was…it is the food the Lord has given you to eat…” (Exodus 16:13-16 NLT).

 “…All things  (including the PROVISIONS in the WILDERNESS) came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

“…Since the CREATION of the world God’s INVISIBLE QUALITIES—HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE (PROVISIONS in the WILDERNESS)…” (Romans 1:20 NIV). “…The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers… everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed…So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.” (Exodus 16:16-18, 31, 35 NLT). “…the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders…” (Deuteronomy 26:8 KJV).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the [Israelites were given PROVISIONS in the wilderness] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

What KIND of PROVIDER is God. “.. the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.” (Exodus 16:16-18, 31 NLT).

God not only PROVIDED for them, but he did it EVERYDAY for 40 years. “… the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need...” (Exodus 16:21 NLT). “…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

The REASON God CHOOSE to SUPPLY the manna on a daily basis was to be KNOWN by his people. “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

God’s desires for his people to KNOW he can be depended upon to SUPPLY “ALL” their NEED. “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…God will generously PROVIDE all you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want …” (Psalms 23:1 KJV). “… You will always have everything you need  …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

Obedience is not simply doing what God says to do. “…The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing JOY to the heart…” (Psalms 19:8 NLT). “…JOYful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord…” (Psalms 119:1 NLT).

Obedience is a choice and a sign of trust and trust is a sign of dependency. “…[Choose to]Trust in the Lord with all thine heart …” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…[Choose NOT to] lean … unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).  “ … In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The steps of a good man (who depends upon God) are ordered (directed) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). Therefore,“…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

God desires for his people to CHOOSE to DEPEND UPON his PROVISION. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

God told the Israelites what to do every day in order to show their dependency upon his provisions. “…These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.” So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell …On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation.  He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.” …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).

What happened to THOSE who did not CHOOSE to depend upon God by following his instructions? “…Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell … Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).

How can God PROVIDE for you if you don’t choose to depend upon his kindness toward you? “…God is … kind ... He is …kind to you if you continue to trust in (depend upon) his kindness. But if you stop trusting (depending upon him), you …will be cut off…” (Romans 11:22 NLT). It is YOUR choice to be CUT OFF. “…some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell … …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).

Is it BETTER to depend upon God or your OWN way? “… [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man (in one's limited efforts)…” (Psalms 118:9 KJV). “… Some of the people went out anyway (doing it their OWN way) on the seventh day, but they found no food. …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).

God LOVES his people and desires to CARE for them, but it is their CHOICE to depend upon him. “…The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions (to depend upon my instructions for their care)? …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).“…I will supply all [their] NEED…” (Philippians 4:19).

God desires for his people to depend upon his MERCIFUL attitude, every single day, as their PROVIDER. “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

“… I … [love] you with an everlasting love …I …[draw]… you with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “…I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth …I DELIGHT in these things…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT). “…God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. [you] can neither choose it nor work for it…” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT). “…HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).

“… therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that [you] may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). “…[god] will supply all your NEED…” (Philippians 4:19). “…[god]… will generously PROVIDE (supply) all you need. Then you will always have everything you need …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “...[god]… careth for you…” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…[god]… “WILL” … [take care of]…that which concerns … [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB).

“…How great is [God’s benevolent kindness]…”  (Psalm 31:19-20 KJV). “….[God’s] … is good [deeply caring]... “ALL” the time…” (1 Chronicles 16:34, Ezra 3:11, and Psalm 107). “...Casting all your care upon … [God]; for he careth for you…” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “… [God] … shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to his riches in glory BY Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). “….I shall not want. ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…[God] …will generously PROVIDE all  … you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the [Israelites were given PROVISIONS in the wilderness] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

 “…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [God PROVIDES for you FOREVER] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).“ … Jesus Christ (the WORD) is the same … forever…” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). “…god is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

WHAT ALL DID GOD PROVIDE?

1.      He PROVIDED water for the Israelites. “…When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”)…“What are we going to drink?” they demanded. So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink… After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water…” (Exodus 15:23-27 NLT).

2.      God PROVIDED victories for his people against their enemies. “..While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek.  As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. After the victory … Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”)…” (Exodus 17:8-16 NLT).

3.      God PROVIDED supernaturally for their clothes and shoes for 40 years. “…For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell…” (Deuteronomy 8:4 NLT). “…For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out…” (Deuteronomy 29:5). “…For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out…” (Nehemiah 9:21 NLT).

4.      God PROVIDED health to ALL those who depended upon him for 40 years. “…If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you…” (Exodus 15:26 NLT). “ Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion ...if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions (chose to depend upon him by following his instructions), then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. For my angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, so you may live there. And I will destroy them completely. You must not worship the gods of these nations or serve them in any way or imitate their evil practices. Instead, you must utterly destroy them and smash their sacred pillars. “You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness.…” (Exodus 23:21-25 NLT). “…If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love …You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth… And the Lord will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all your enemies!” (Deuteronomy 7:12-15 NLT). “…If you refuse to obey all the words of instruction that are written in this book [or if you refuse to choose to depend upon my instructions], and if you do not fear the glorious and awesome name of the Lord your God, THEN the Lord will overwhelm you and your children with indescribable plagues. These plagues will be intense and without relief, making you miserable and unbearably sick. He will afflict you with all the diseases of Egypt that you feared so much, and you will have no relief. The Lord will afflict you with every sickness and plague there is, even those not mentioned in this Book of Instruction, until you are destroyed…” (Deuteronomy 28:58-62 NLT).

 “…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [God PROVIDES for you FOREVER] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).“ … Jesus Christ (the WORD) is the same … forever…” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). “…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

Many of us are DELIVERED from something familiar (bad) like Egypt to something unfamiliar (good) like the wilderness.

The wilderness can be perceived as a place of transition where you learn to depend upon something NEW and GREATER than you’ve ever KNOWN.

For the Israelites the wilderness was void of food, water, had inadequate living conditions, was known for its bad weather, consisted of many potential diseases, it was infested with deadly varmints,  and was occupied with a host of tribal enemies

“… He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions…” (Deuteronomy 8:15 NIV). “… He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry…” (Deuteronomy 8:15 NLT).

Many of God’s people go through situations that FEEL and LOOK like a wilderness experience. It is often void of things that usually nourish you or make you feel alive or refreshed.

A wilderness experience is hard to live comfortably through day to day and it’s full of days of doubt, sadness, fear, stress, concern, complaints, and grumblings.

A wilderness experience feels like a permanent threat to your happiness, your peace, your present, your future, your safety, and any potential for a better life again.

A wilderness experience SEEMS and is PERCEIVED as a dangerous place to be. It is hard for the human psyche to settle down enough to trust it is ONLY temporary. God led the Israelites THROUGH the wilderness.

“… He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness…” (Deuteronomy 8:15 NIV). “… He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness …” (Deuteronomy 8:15 NLT). “..You led your people out from Egypt … you marched through the dry wasteland…” (Psalms 68:7 NLT).

A wilderness experience is NOT a place to settle that’s why it’s called a wasteland. “..Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle…” (Psalms 107:4 NIV).

God means for the wilderness experiences to be barren, desolate, and lacking in autonomously dependent provisions. He told the Israelites : “…I’ve …done [these things] so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV). “… he had done so many miracles before them ….” (John 12:37-40 NLT). “… he hath done marvellous things…” (Psalm 98:1 KJV).

 “… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh…” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I the LORD … the first, and with the last. I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB).  “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).

WHY DID GOD DO THE MIRACLES? “… so [his people would] know that [HE is] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

God TOOK the Israelites to the wilderness - a wasteland - to prepare them to become a FLOURISHING nation that depends upon the ALMIGHTY GOD!! "…Behold, I will do SOMETHING NEW I will even make a WAY in the wilderness…” (Isaiah 43:19-20 NASB). “…I am about to do something NEW. See I have already begun! Do you NOT see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, and the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed…” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT).

"... "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare NEW THINGS Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." (Isaiah 42:9 NASB).

The CHALLENGE of living in a wilderness experience is that situations or circumstances are usually BEYOND human capacity to FIX or REPAIR.

The wilderness experience becomes a situation or circumstance out of HUMAN control and REQUIRES total dependency UPON God and God alone. People normally don’t like to be out of control and would whether go BACK to a BAD familiar that wait patiently to adapt to a NEW forthcoming GOOD familiar. “…The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death…” (Exodus 16:3 KJV).  “..If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned…” (Exodus 16:3a NLT).

ALL wilderness experiences are opportunities to discover who God really is and not rely on the wasteland aspects of the situation or circumstance. “… so [his people would] know that [HE is] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

Most people GET discouraged and disheartened through their wilderness experiences, especially if it lasts for days, weeks, months, or years.

Most people, going through the wilderness, fail to choose to depend upon God and continue to depend upon themselves instead. “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

Depending upon God, while going through wilderness experiences such as the loss of a loved one, break-ups, wayward children, bad situations, abuse, horrible relationships, bad childhoods, years of a bad marriage, repeated failures, multiple insecurities, a boring lifestyle, ongoing depression, etc… is VERY difficult.

God’s promises to DELIVER or PROVIDE during wilderness experiences often seem REMOTE, IMPOSSIBLE, and FALSE.

The BELIEF of a God who will personally DELIVER or PROVIDE in the wilderness experiences of life is ABSENT.

The cruel reality of the WILDERNESS experiences of life RAVAGES and can eventually ERODE dependency upon God all together.

They were looking and longing for the comforts they had in bondage and felt they had some kind of control over. They were missing the abundance of comforts they had also as FREED men and women, which were provided by God Almighty on their behalf. “…There  (with the Egyptians) we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death…” (Exodus 16:3 KJV).  “… In the evening [in the desert] you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

The wilderness experience is ALWAYS a TEST.“…[God] humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good…” (Deuteronomy 8:3-5 NLT).

The wilderness experience, whether you like it or not, can REVEAL God to you. “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).

God TAKES full responsibility for PROVIDING the NEED of his people, but they don’t always appreciate it. He DELIVERED Israel from the Egyptians. He DELIVERS his people today from the penalty of death. HE DELIVERED Israel, at the Red Sea, FOREVER from the Egyptians. He DELIVERS people today from sin once-for-all. He provided for the Israelites after their deliverance. He SUPPLIES “ALL” the need for his people today. He GUIDED Israel with a cloud and fire. He GUIDES his people today by his indwelling Holy Spirit.

Israel complained and grumbled MOST of the time and didn’t SEEM to appreciate the GIFTS of God’s provision.

The Israelites that complained and grumbled against God also refused to depend upon his instructions and NEVER experienced the blessings of his ongoing CARE or PROVISIONS. “…The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.’ “But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God,  who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. “When the Lord heard your complaining, he became very angry. So he solemnly swore, ‘Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors…” (Deuteronomy 1:30-35 NLT).

Many of the Israelites grumbled and complained until their acrimonious attitude led them AWAY from the PROTECTION and CARE of the ALMIGHTY God.

“..Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? I will disown them and destroy them with a plague…” (Number 14:1-20 NLT).

The acrimonious complaints and grumblings of Israel were a reflection of their refusal to choose to depend upon the instructions of God in their wilderness experience. “…The people replied, …We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires (autonomy of self or own choices)…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

God’s people are STILL murmuring and complaining against him and reflecting their personal lack of dependency upon his instructions for their lives. “…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6 NIV).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [GOD PROVIDES] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

 WHY? “… so [his people WILL] know that [HE is] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “….Then [they] will know that [he is] the Lord [their] God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…god is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).