Enslaved to Stuff

"Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.'" -Numbers 21.4-5

Edom has refused Israel passage through their land, and so they set out in a different direction. It comes as no surprise that they become impatient and begin to complain. Yet again we see them longing for Egypt, and complain about the scarcity of food and water even though God has provided time and again. But now we see something different, they complain about the food God has given them. They call manna, the bread of heaven, miserable food that they loathe.

How often do we do this, especially in America? We always seem to be about the next best thing, even when we have more than we need. I don't know the nutritional information of manna, but I imagine that it was the ultimate superfood. I'm guessing it had everything in it that people needed to have in order to survive. On top of that it sounds like it tasted good, wafers and honey, as a kid during a Vacation Bible School they gave us Frosted Flakes to give us an idea about manna. And yet Israel complains about it. It is what they need and it is sustaining them until they get to the Promised Land, but they want more to the point that they are willing to become slaves to get it.

Men, are you enslaved to stuff? Is your life about getting the next best thing? The newest phone, car, TV? A better set of golf clubs? A bigger house? More money? Do you realize that the quest for the bigger and better enslaves you and that you will always need more in an attempt to fill the void? But what if you set the stuff aside and longed for more of God? What if each day you looked at life as just one day closer to eternity with Him, and He is providing everything you need in the mean time to sustain you until you get there?

Israel complained because they refused to look at what was waiting for them. They were so consumed by the here and now that they couldn't see what was in store for them. Rather than being content and seeing each day as one day closer to the Promised Land, rejoicing that God was providing for them until they got there, the complain about eating the same thing day after day. And the thing is, they brought it upon themselves. They were the ones who refused to trust and had to wander for forty years. They chose this, just as we chose to be enslaved to stuff.

Would you be free of your need for the next best thing? Turn to God, rejoice in what He has given you, and see each day as an opportunity to trust Him more, knowing each day brings you one day closer to His presence for eternity.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor