Numbers Day 3
Read Numbers 11:4-9 and Numbers 11:18-20
The next couple of chapters reveal a glaring issue in the Israelite people. An issue that goes much deeper than poor decisions or bad actions, momentary lapses or meltdowns. They reveal a deep seeded heart issue that the Israelites have. While they are no longer in the physical slavery that they faced in Egypt, their hearts and minds are still enslaved by sin. Because we share the same sinful nature, we experience the same struggles in our lives all of these years later.
Numbers 11:4-6
“The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!””
Reading this out loud can sound crazy, did the Israelites really want to go back to the brutal slavery and oppression they faced in Egypt, just because the food was better? What an outlandish thing to say; but this is the effect of sin on their hearts. Rather than being satisfied with all that God has provided for them, deliverance, victory, food, and water to name a few, they are focused on what they don’t have. The natural response of our sinful nature is to want more, to not be happy with what we have, and to feel like we don’t have enough. But as we walk with Jesus and the Holy Spirit works on our heart, He leads us to find contentment and satisfaction in all that God has provided.
Human Nature says… I need more friends
God says… I will never leave you nor forsake you. I’ve given you the Holy Spirit so that I am with you wherever you go. You can find friendship through the Holy Spirit in the loneliest of life’s moments.
Human Nature says...I need more attention
God says…Every day you have my undivided attention. I’ve never been too distracted or too busy to speak to you. I love spending time with you.
Human Nature says...I need more things
God says…Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, drink, wear, what things you have. Is life not more than what you consume and what you have? God takes care of even the smallest creatures, like the sparrows. Surely, He will give you everything you need.
Human Nature says...I need more validation
God says…Out of all creation, you are my prized possession. I set your value and worth at the price of my one and only son’s blood. Find your worth in me, not in what others think of you or say about you.
This “I need more” mindset takes many shapes and forms. But all of them are, at the core, an unwillingness to believe that God is our provider and that everything we need is found in Him. Take a few moments today to evaluate your heart, where do you fall into this trap and how can you reject the lie that you don’t have enough and trust your heavenly Father to provide for your every need?
Questions to consider.
If you were honest, where are some areas of your life that you constantly want more? Is it your social life, friends and attention? Physical things like the newest clothes and electronics? Maybe it is something internal like love or validation? Take some time and write down everything you feel like you are lacking.
How can you begin to find satisfaction and contentment in God, specifically in these areas? Look up some verses about the attention and love God gives us or how God takes care of our physical needs. Jot down these verses and try to remind yourself to trust in these promises God gives us when you feel like you don’t have enough.
Simply thank God for providing for you today. Pray that He would continue to work on your heart and help you to trust in Him as your provider.
The next couple of chapters reveal a glaring issue in the Israelite people. An issue that goes much deeper than poor decisions or bad actions, momentary lapses or meltdowns. They reveal a deep seeded heart issue that the Israelites have. While they are no longer in the physical slavery that they faced in Egypt, their hearts and minds are still enslaved by sin. Because we share the same sinful nature, we experience the same struggles in our lives all of these years later.
Numbers 11:4-6
“The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!””
Reading this out loud can sound crazy, did the Israelites really want to go back to the brutal slavery and oppression they faced in Egypt, just because the food was better? What an outlandish thing to say; but this is the effect of sin on their hearts. Rather than being satisfied with all that God has provided for them, deliverance, victory, food, and water to name a few, they are focused on what they don’t have. The natural response of our sinful nature is to want more, to not be happy with what we have, and to feel like we don’t have enough. But as we walk with Jesus and the Holy Spirit works on our heart, He leads us to find contentment and satisfaction in all that God has provided.
Human Nature says… I need more friends
God says… I will never leave you nor forsake you. I’ve given you the Holy Spirit so that I am with you wherever you go. You can find friendship through the Holy Spirit in the loneliest of life’s moments.
Human Nature says...I need more attention
God says…Every day you have my undivided attention. I’ve never been too distracted or too busy to speak to you. I love spending time with you.
Human Nature says...I need more things
God says…Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, drink, wear, what things you have. Is life not more than what you consume and what you have? God takes care of even the smallest creatures, like the sparrows. Surely, He will give you everything you need.
Human Nature says...I need more validation
God says…Out of all creation, you are my prized possession. I set your value and worth at the price of my one and only son’s blood. Find your worth in me, not in what others think of you or say about you.
This “I need more” mindset takes many shapes and forms. But all of them are, at the core, an unwillingness to believe that God is our provider and that everything we need is found in Him. Take a few moments today to evaluate your heart, where do you fall into this trap and how can you reject the lie that you don’t have enough and trust your heavenly Father to provide for your every need?
Questions to consider.
If you were honest, where are some areas of your life that you constantly want more? Is it your social life, friends and attention? Physical things like the newest clothes and electronics? Maybe it is something internal like love or validation? Take some time and write down everything you feel like you are lacking.
How can you begin to find satisfaction and contentment in God, specifically in these areas? Look up some verses about the attention and love God gives us or how God takes care of our physical needs. Jot down these verses and try to remind yourself to trust in these promises God gives us when you feel like you don’t have enough.
Simply thank God for providing for you today. Pray that He would continue to work on your heart and help you to trust in Him as your provider.