Have you followed instructions and experienced things going well? Have you experienced things going well for a while only to suddenly not go well? How did you react when things took an unexpected turn? Did you cry out to God and wonder if he cared for you?
There are times when it seems all is right with the world. We are accomplishing tasks in our daily jobs. Our family is well—no illnesses, no injuries, no diseases, and no drama. Our church is experiencing visitors, many of whom decide to return and become members.
When things are going very well, we enjoy it but also may be looking over our shoulder, waiting for something to go wrong. If we have lived a few decades, we have experienced things going well for a while and suddenly taking a nosedive into what seems to be a bottomless pit. That is where the Israelites found themselves as they were roaming the wilderness.
It can be difficult for us to understand their journey. The first thing we must remember is they had no automobiles and there were not many large cities. They were a people who were used to farming, raising animals, and living near sources of fresh water. They were a people of manual labor and walking long distances to get from one place to another. They knew they needed fresh water to survive. As they followed God into the wilderness, they suddenly found themselves without water. Of course, they didn’t complain to God but complained to Moses, their intermediary.
We sometimes do the same thing. Our church attendance and membership are in decline. We ask the pastor why. We look to the pastor to develop and implement an innovative program to draw people to the church. Just like the Israelites, we have lost our faith in God. We no longer believe he will provide. And we are no longer carrying out his work. Rather than complaining, we would be much better off to ask God to guide us in the work he would have us do and trust him to provide.
I pray we all trust God is in control when things are going well. I pray we trust God is in control when things are not going well. I pray each one of us will ask God for guidance and continue to work for him. Trust God at all times. Ask God for guidance. Follow God’s guidance.
Exodus 17:1-2 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”
Marty Pressey 