The Word - March 27, 2012 - LEANNESS OF SOUL

"How quickly they forgot all that He had done! They refused to wait for His counsel! In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God's patience in that dry wasteland. So He gave them what they asked for, but sent leanness into their souls (Psalm 106:13-15 NLT)

Here we have a description of the Children of Israel in their relationship with God during the forty years they wandered in the wilderness. The psalmist has given us a vivid picture of all the Lord did on their behalf.

He had performed amazing miracles on their behalf. He redeemed them out of Egypt, He had made provision for them during all their desert wanderings. In spite of their disobedience, he gave them shoes that never wore out, a continuous supply of water and arranged for a supply of manna for their food.

But Israel had a short memory. They quickly forgot what he had done for them. They didn't seek his counsel, nor did they wait to trust the Lord for what He would provide for them next. They were guilty of greed and lust. They demanded meat and the Scripture says He sent them such an abundance of quail until they were knee-deep in them.

Dear friends, pause a moment and read the last phrase of our Scripture: but He sent leanness into their souls." God gave them their request. They had their fill of meat to satisfy their lust, their stomachs were full, but their souls were empty.

Let us beware that we do not make the same mistake in forgetting God's goodness, that we fail to wait on what His plan is for us, and that we ask that our lusts be satisfied. All too often when we pray the wrong prayer and ask for the wrong things, our souls end up starving for that spiritual food. May we never try to force our will on God as the Israelite did, but wait expectantly for Him to supply all our needs.