03/15/12

 

Here are more pics I took last week at school.  This first picture below was taken a few days before the others.  I got to watch this plant "unfold."

The rain droplets were a plus.  :)

 

I read this in my devotions last week and it went along so well with what I talked about yesterday.  I hope this is a blessing and great reminder for you all as it was for me. 

Mass Ungratefulness

Numbers 21:4-5

And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

And the people spake against God, and against Moses, wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

What incident took place in these verses?  Perpetual ungratefulness!  Yes, it's true that "the soul of the people [the Israelites] was much discouraged because of the way" but still, they needed to remember all that God had done for them.

The Israelites received miraculous provision of God on a daily basis and they didn't have an iota of thankfulness within their souls.  They reached a low point spiritually when they said, "our sould loatheth this light bread" (v. 5).  This was a drastic change in attitude.  When God first rained "manna" down from heaven upon them, it was wonderful.  They said, "The taste of it was like wafers made with honey" (Ex. 16:31).  The "manna," which literally means, "What is it?" was called "angels food" (Ps. 78:25).  Imagine the excitement that electrified the camp of Israel the first time they looked and saw honey wafers fit for angels lying all over the ground.  But day by day, and week by week, they became used to this supernatural blessing from God.

Be careful of getting used to the blessings of God!  We have to guard against taking God and His daily wonders for granted.  When the Israelites said they "loathed" the manna, it meant that they had become so disgusted with God's provision that it made them want to vomit.  They considered God's food to be detestable and worthless.

God help us all to watch out for the first seeds of ungratefulness.  We should all be thankful to have the presence of God in ourl ives.  Our hearts should overflow with praise to God for our families, our church, and our own daily supply of food upon our tables.

When children were born during these forty years in the wilderness, I am sure they thought that this manna was the normal thing.  The supernatural became the natural.

How do you react to the tremendous everyday gifts from God?  Make sure that you thank God every single day for the life He has allowed you to live.  Take the time right now to praise Him for your home, family, church, friends, and the gift of eternal life.  Don't ever become hardened to all that God does for you, from the littlest things to the sensational surprises he gives you.

Ask God to impress upon your mind the wonder of it all.

Dwell Devotional - March 7, 2012