Day 47.
But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, “I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!” Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” (Numbers 11:21-23 ESV)
The manna from heaven was a miraculous provision of God in a place that otherwise could not sustain life, especially the multitude that were with Moses. But as we see, even this daily miracle grew tiresome for the people. Their appetites were such that they no longer saw God’s hand sustaining them. Instead, they complained against Moses and dreamed of Egypt (their place of slavery) and how good it was. A bit crazy! We see how blind our appetites can make us. How easily what we want filters and warps our perspective. This happens with any of our “cravings,” whether it is for food or a particular thing, or relationship, or lifestyle.
And yet, God hears their complaint and promises to provide meat. Such a provision goes far beyond the realm of possibility, as far as natural means are concerned. They are in the wilderness! Even Moses, who has witnessed God’s mighty strength against the Egyptians cannot imagine where such a volume of meat could be found. So God asks, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” How often do is our faith limited by what we can conceive or explain? We fail to have because we fail to ask. We fail to ask because we fail to see how an answer could come! But God has no limits. If God calls us to something, there is nothing that he cannot provide.
Lord, protect us from our own appetites and the skewed perspectives they give us on life and on you. We are a needy people! Keep us from limiting our faith to only what we can see. That is not to live by faith at all. Cause us to remember this story and lead us to ask of you in faith for all that your calling would require of us. Amen.
