From the Red Sea to Sinai
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of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the
chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly
things. It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed
down with care. But our Lord does not tell us that there are no dangers
in our path. He does not propose to take His people out of the world
of sin and evil, but He points us to a never-failing refuge. He invites
the weary and care-laden, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Lay off the yoke of anxiety and
worldly care that you have placed on your own neck, and “take My
yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and
ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Matthew 11:28, 29
. We may find
rest and peace in God, casting all our care upon Him; for He careth
for us. See
1 Peter 5:7
.
Says the apostle Paul, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any
of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Hebrews 3:12
. In view of all that God has wrought for us, our faith
should be strong, active, and enduring. Instead of murmuring and
complaining, the language of our hearts should be, “Bless the Lord,
O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
Psalm 103:1, 2
.
God was not unmindful of the wants of Israel. He said to their
leader, “I will rain bread from heaven for you.” And directions were
given that the people gather a daily supply, with a double amount
on the sixth day, that the sacred observance of the Sabbath might be
maintained.
Moses assured the congregation that their wants were to be sup-
plied: “The Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in
the morning bread to the full.” And he added, “What are we? your
murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.” He further bade
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Aaron say to them, “Come near before the Lord: for He hath heard
your murmurings.” While Aaron was speaking, “they looked toward
the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the
cloud.” A splendor such as they had never witnessed symbolized the
divine Presence. Through manifestations addressed to their senses,
they were to obtain a knowledge of God. They must be taught that the
Most High, and not merely the man Moses, was their leader, that they
might fear His name and obey His voice.