Starve the Old Appetite
Posted January 26th, 2010 by Mike CucciaScripture
Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. Exodus 16: 2-4
Observation
At the time of this complaint, the Israelites were approximately one month and a half after leaving Egypt. Amazingly, the Lord had supernaturally met the Israelites need of water just a few days before and now they were complaining about the lack of food. The Israelites quickly forgot about God’s goodness of how He delivered them from the bondage, slavery and suffering of Pharaoh and began to focus on the comforts of their physical life. The real problem is that they still had the “old appetite” and needed to learn to enjoy the “new food” God had for them. God’s “new food” that He provided for them was called, “manna”. According to these verses, God wanted them to feed on this every morning in a specific way that would directly enhance their spiritual life. God wanted the Israelites to trust and obey Him on a daily basis for their provision.
Application
When I face challenges or difficult circumstances I have a tendency to complain like the Israelites. Especially if the solution or provision does not come quickly or in the manner that seems comfortable to me. However, the more I trust Him and feed on His Word (John 6:35) the less I will indulge in the “old appetite” of murmuring and complaining. God provided manna for the Israelites on a daily basis and they could not store it up for the days to come. In the same way, God provides manna for me, in daily portions. As I feed on His Word, meditate on it and obey it daily, I become spiritually strengthened.
Prayer
Lord forgive me for the times that I have murmured and complained when faced with difficult circumstances. I pray that I will remind myself of Your goodness, feed on Your Word daily and obey it! May I starve the “old appetite” of murmuring and complaining and feed my hunger for the new way of living by trusting You…In Jesus Name!
What powerful words as we are fasting just now. I am praying earnestly for the Lord to give me NEW appetites…for the things He wants me to have in my life. So many times we do not surrender to the blessings God wants for us and miss out. Awesome Pastor Mike!
What the Israelites did in complaining of hunger is natural. It is natural, after days with little or no food (can you say “liquid fast”?), looking out on the vast empty wilderness, no source of food in sight, to feel angry and desperate. Time to complain, somebody has to do something!
Even so, the way I see it, the Israelites in desperation turned to God by “complainig” to the two men through whom God was working. They loved God, and God loved them. Psalm 145:20 God preserves those who love Him. God apparently responded immediately (the very next verse). Manna in the morning and quail in the evenings – in the middle of nowhere. Wow !
A superb lesson for us today – love God, and show your love through obedience. Then the One who loves you will be there during your difficult circumstances. It’s natural to feel angry & desperate, but those who know and love God bring their “complaints” to Him. How many times in His Word do we see God provide for those who love Him.
Very Nice! Awesome