How quickly we forget.
It's not easy to go through a difficult or dry time. Those times when our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling. Those times when we feel as if we are being tested beyond our limits. Those times when we wonder, "where are you God?"
But how we handle ourselves in those times may tell us more about ourselves than about God. If someone recorded our thoughts or words or actions and posted them on YouTube for all to see... how would that make us feel when the trial is over?
It always amazes me that the Israelites could be delivered from Egypt in such a powerful way, and then when they had to wait to hear from the Lord (when Moses was on the mountain) they quickly forgot God and created a Golden Calf to worship. Their response is not on YouTube, but it was recorded in scripture as a lesson and warning to us all.
Reading Psalm 106 referencing that time,
"He commanded the Red Sea to dry up.
He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert.
So he rescued them from their enemies
and redeemed them from their foes.
Then the water returned and covered their enemies;
not one of them survived.
Then his people believed his promises.
Then they sang his praise.
Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done!
They wouldn't wait for his counsel!
In the wilderness their desires ran wild,
testing God's patience in that dry wasteland." Psalm 106:9-14 (NLT)
Trying times can show what is really inside us, and that is often not a pleasant thing to see. How often do we forget all the amazing things God has done for us, (not the least of these forgiveness of our sins) and grow impatient with him? Often in these times it can be as subtle as wanting to take matters into our own hands or as blatant as returning to past sins.
How often do we run to false gods?
Sometimes I think God is asking us a simple question during these times, will we love him for who he is, or only for what he will do for us? Are we holding back our devotion to him until he acts the way we want?
Oh, how quickly we forget.
