Psalm 106: 13-15 What is the take away?

5/21/2019

Psalm 106: 13-15, ESV.
But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.
14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; 15 he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.

Here the psalmist reflects on the greed of the people; Israelites during their journey through the wilderness (desert). Ironically, Israel reflects worship of God when miracles happen and when God meets their needs. Do we worship God like that as well--only when there are miracles? (Something to think about). In this particular part of the story (See Numbers 11), the people of God were told to take only what they needed, yet they had taken more and God allowed disease to take place. They had been greedy for more, not content with what they have. Perhaps it was a form of Irritable Bowell Syndrome (I don’t know). Umm, does God have a sense of humor? Seriously, God is a holy God and he is using Israel’s experience to form their character.

In similar ways, when we are greedy and eat more than what we should—disease falls upon us, even in the form of obesity (I can certainly relate). Perhaps it is diabetes? My point is that we can make a choice to trust God for all things, believe in him to meet our needs. However, the recliner is not to be used when we have the ability to go and work. By the way, you can change the way you eat if you do suffer diabetes and keep taking your medicine until the doctor tells you that you can stop.

The take away for us is that God said that he will meet our needs and that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Paul in writing to the Philippians stated that God will meet their needs. We have that promise too. Matthew 6:33 refers to God meeting our needs and it comes with a caveat, first seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness. The Psalmist in Chapter 34 writes that those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Contentment is a good thing and God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Ironically, the writer of Hebrews quotes from Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6, who then quotes from God to the Israel. We have that same promise.

God delivered Israel from enslavement in Egypt. Perhaps God has delivered you from your “Egypt” – maybe it was an addiction or some other form of enslavement. God still loves you, he will meet your needs, he will not leave you nor forsake you.

Trust in the Lord.

© Dan Kinjorski, 5/2019

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Author

Dan is in a second career, that of Counselor, but he is a pastor at heart. He desires to present the Word of God in its context and then challenge the reader in its application to our lives. It is the Word of God that brings revival to our souls. The psalmist writes, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Dan and Maribel Kinjorski

Dan and Maribel are Bible Teachers. They love to expound on the Word of God. Maribel has been involved in Church since an early age. A graduate of the University of San German, Puerto Rico, in Business Administration and Economy. Dan is a graduate of East Coast Bible College (now shuttered) and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (1999) , Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2019), and now working on a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Counseling Education and Supervision.
Maribel Pastored Lilly of the Valley, Church of God, a Hispanic Community in Medford, Oregon. Dan Pastored, at the same time, Family Life Church, Medford, Oregon. They both were each other's assistant in their perspective communities. Dan and Maribel were able to bring together an English speaking, Spanish speaking, and a Deaf (non-hearing) community as "one" in community.
While serving in the military, Dan spent his last 13 years as an Army Chaplain, previously enlisted for seven years as a Communication Specialist. As an Army Chaplain, Dan often pastored Chapel Services ranging from the Gospel Service, General Protestant Service, to an Assembly of God Samoan Chapel Service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Maribel supported her husband and often found herself assisting in the Family Readiness Groups when Dan deployed to Iraq or the Middle East (Kuwait) and also working with the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Dan and Maribel are proud parents of David (and Megan) with Olive (2nd grand); Michelle (and Street Wise Hercules) with Lilly (1st grand) and soon to be MJ, (3rd grand).