Weekly Devotional #010

Graves of Craving

We will never know the depths of God’s provision for us on this side of eternity. Every second of every minute of every hour, the Lord is providing for us in ways we can’t even imagine. Unfortunately, our fleshly nature only allows us one response regarding this bounty of provision – MORE! Though we have been given more than we could ever ask for, we lust after more.

“But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. Therefore, the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.”  – Numbers 11:33-34

If you look up the name Kibroth Hattaavah (say that 5 times fast lol) it translates to “Graves of Craving”. If you read the entirety of this chapter, you’ll see that the Israelites grew tired of the manna the Lord was providing. Deep that – they had the nerve to be tired of the miraculous bread falling from the sky every day!

But before we turn our nose up at the Israelites, let’s not forget our own ungratefulness toward the miraculous in our own lives:

“God, thank you for the job, but now I want a raise!” Or “Jesus, thank you for the spouse, but now we want kids!” And “Father, I praise you for the miracle, but I need a couple more to truly believe you.” In other words, we are SELDOM satisfied. If we’re not careful, our desire for more can become a dangerous (even deadly) pursuit.

Begin to develop an attitude of gratitude for what the Lord has given you; don’t take ANY of it for granted. Before your feet touch the floor in the morning, there are about 50 things you can thank the Lord for – try thanking the Lord for 10 of them tomorrow. We have been given much, friends – even the little you think you have is a bounty to someone less fortunate.

Until you have what you desire, treat what you have like it’s all you need. Why? Because you have Jesus!