Devotional of the Week August 2-8

Psalm 78:5-17 (King James Version)

5For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
8And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
9The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
11And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
12Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
14In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
15He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
16He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
17And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

Miracles had become common-place in Israel. People were so used to seeing miracles that they were taking them for granted. The miracles did nothing to increase their faith in God, but only served to make them believe that God would do anything for them, even while living in disobedience. They kept pushing the proverbial envelop more and more to see how much God would allow before He became angry with them.

We too sometimes act the same way as these ancient Israelites. God keeps providing for us in miraculous ways everyday, and yet we still doubt His ability to take care of us. We keep complaining about how times are hard and difficult, and yet, very rarely do we stop and give thanks for all that we do have. Do you know that here in America we are among the top 10% richest people in the world? Then why is it that we are so dissatisfied with life? In other countries, where people have much less than what we have, they have learnt to be content with what they have, and to find satisfaction in life, even in the midst of harsh economical and political climates. What is their secret? Trusting God and being thankful for all His blessings.