A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional Day 33

🔴 Remember the Food

An interesting grumbling begins to happen as the Israelites think fondly back to their enslavement—the pots of meat. (Exodus 17:3) A form of influencing that dates back to the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:4-6) and links Esau’s (Genesis 25:29-34) attitude to many of us today. If we have a good meal, we may not think negatively about a system whose constrictive methods do not allow the worship of God—giving up an unknown treasure to meet an immediate need.

Need for Refreshment?!

The bitter water (Exodus 15:23) in Shur’s desert needed a filtration system a branch to make the water sweet and drinkable. We see the imagery of the branch used here as tangible evidence of God. He will send His Messianic servant to restore the nation.

How often do we forget to drink from the cup of the Lord before we begin performing our plans?

We can get ahead of God if we aren’t mindful that He is the One who knows all. The enemy will remind us of our comforts and the seductive good food we crave. Fasting and bringing our appetites under control is one way to curb the temptation of acting before praying.

The Lord rained down manna (what is it) from Heaven to feed the Israelites. A training to eat to live, not live to eat. God wants His congregation to look up for their strength and nourishment, not to human-made things. When we complain about the repetitive nature of God’s provision, then we forsake His command to follow Him.

Deception

The enemy’s lie is that we need to have excitement each day and dare to leap into new areas without looking to God for His answer. (The greedy appetite must be satisfied. Exodus 16:8) If we were to think about what we forfeit by giving in to temporary temptation, we would strive for the eternal benefit of being with Christ.

Meditate on Proverbs 6:23 and ask yourself:

How hungry is your need for alternative delectables?
What birthright will you disregard to satisfy a temporary desire?
Will not God care for your needs if you trust Him?

Try drinking from the sweet cup of Jesus and toss the bitterness away. Refinement takes time, and we should never tire of praising our Lord. (Revelation 4:8) Holy, Holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was and is and is to come. Exodus 16:4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.”

Will you trust God, Who remains faithful to His word? Or will you chase the temporary excitement of autonomy and idolize the bread of the world?

Will you only come to Jesus on your terms?

~Torrie Slaughter