Will We Dine in the Desert?

A Verse

Psalm 78:19

They spoke against God;
they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?”

A Comment

Psalm 78 recounts, in part, the rebellion of the wilderness generation that was delivered from Egypt by the LORD’s mighty hand. Specifically, in verse 19, Asaph captures the slander of that generation who questioned the LORD’s ability to provide for them.

As Spurgeon noted, “To question the ability of one who is manifestly Almighty, is to speak against him. These people were base enough to say that although their God had given them bread and water, yet he could not properly order or furnish a table. He could give them coarse food, but could not prepare a feast properly arranged, so they were ungrateful enough to declare. As if the manna was a mere make-shift, and the flowing rock-stream a temporary expedient, they ask to have a regularly furnished table, such as they had been accustomed to in Egypt.”

Spurgeon continued, making an application for us, “Alas, how have we also quarrelled with our mercies, and querulously pined for some imaginary good, counting our actual enjoyments to be nothing because they did not happen to be exactly conformed to our foolish fancies. They who will not be content will speak against providence even when it daily loadeth them with benefits.”

How true this is, that when we are not content with what God has given us, we are slow to be grateful and quick to speak ill in our hearts against God’s provision. May we not doubt our great God’s ability or goodness in the desert. He is able to do whatever he wills to do for his glory and our good.

A Prayer

Would you pray with me?

A Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.