For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. Nehemiah 9:21 Isnt it easy to notice those things that we dont have instead of those that we have? This is especially more noticeable during our trials. We hardly notice the little things that show that the Lord has not abandoned us and those that prove His faithfulness. As Nehemiah was praying along with the people, he recalled the days of his ancestors when they were going through the wilderness for 40 years. He declared to the Lord how good He was during those years even though all his ancestors saw back then was how terrible their predicament was. He said that the Lord sustained them and these were his evidences that pointed to the Lords sustaining grace. First, they lacked nothing. Everything they needed was provided for. Their complaints then merely centered on their wants more than their needs. Instead of praying and asking the Lord with reverence, they complained. Second, their clothes did not wear out. While walking under the heat of the sun in the desert, it is easy for clothes to wear out. The Lord took care of that by being a cloud to them by day. Even something as trivial as the quality of their clothes was cared for by the Lord! Lastly, Nehemiah mentions that their feet did not swell all those years of walking in the desert. Can you imagine living in the desert for half of your life? I cant! If I were there and the Lord wasnt with me, my feet would have had blisters in a week. But their feet did not swell at all. Additionally, not only did the Lord protect their feet, but their footwear as well! Moses said so in Deuteronomy 29:5. During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. Can you see how the Lord took care of some of the most important and the most trivial things at the same time to sustain His people during their wilderness experience? And yet all we hear from the Israelites at that time were their complaints about what they didnt have. How ungrateful! we say. And yet dont we respond to the Lord like the Israelites during our own wilderness experiences? Dont we also forget His blessings and His sustaining hand during our own trials? How is your attitude toward the Lord during your trials? Count Gods blessings more than your deficiencies. Start thanking Him for the big and small things. Though its hard to do this, recognizing Gods sustenance will give you peace. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Instead of complaining, try praying and praising the Lord. Then and only then will you experience His peace, knowing that the Lord is with you and sustaining you.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 14:08:25 +0000
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