Those forty years of wandering for the children of Israel contain a strange tale. After God had delivered them from slavery and future extinction in Egypt, they wanted to return there. I guess memory can play tricks on you.

Exodus 16:3

and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

That certainly was not an accurate description of life in Egypt. Babies being thrown into the river and hard labor were the reality.

The same phenomena was true with the church and Peter addressed it:

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 

Another translation puts it like this:

So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

Those weren’t the good old days. Give it some thought.

Gary

There is a very sad account given in Numbers 20:2-13. Here is a shortened version of the sad tale of defeat and eventual destruction of a generation.

Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.  And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place?

These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.

This is more than just a place on the map. It is where bad decisions are made. The whole course of life can be tragically altered in the situation that confronts one here. You see, they were blaming Moses for the way in which life was unfolding. It wasn’t Moses but God who was building the stage for this scene. 

Don’t be blaming others when God is trying to get your attention.  My heart goes out to anyone who has been called to lead God’s people. Sometimes it’s easier to herd cats.

Give it some thought and quit complaining.

Gary

Make this a happy Mother’s Day if your mom is still living. If that is not the case, let your wife know that you appreciate the way she mothered your children. Even if your mother is gone and your wife is a terror, I’ll bet someone mothered you somewhere along the way. Show that person appreciation.

Some memories that remind me of my mother’s love: My mom cooked meat just the way I liked it, fried until all the moisture was gone. The chicken stew had only white meat. I never used an alarm clock because she was the alarm. She didn’t put raisins in my food. Her molasses cookies lathered with butter melted in my mouth. Dirty clothes just stayed on the floor and mysteriously reappeared clean, folded and placed in a drawer. My bed was always made when I crawled in. I never gave that a thought. Christmas included a variety of nuts and fruits, plus a real feast at mealtime. All friends were welcomed and could readily join us around the table.  As you can see, I had a good mom.

Isaiah 66:13

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”

Proverbs 31:31

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Isaiah 49:15

 “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?” 

Think about it.

Gary

“A Horse with No Name” was a hit that came out in 1971. Writer Dewey Bunnell said, “It is a metaphor for a vehicle to get away from life’s confusion into a quiet, peaceful place.”

The world doesn’t offer a peaceful place because conflict, division, hate, pride, greed, and jealousy reign supreme. I believe the horse had a name, but the owner was ashamed of it. So, he rode through life on a horse he was ashamed of.

My question to you is, what is the name of your horse as you travel through life? Let me offer you a different means of locomotion.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Little Eva sang “Locomotion” in 1962. I’ll pass on doing the locomotion with her and stick with Jesus.

Give it some thought.

Gary

In 1946 a cartoon character started using a state-of-the-art, two-way wrist radio while fighting crime. His name was Dick Tracy. Many today look back and state that, if man can make it up in the funny papers, then it can become a reality.

The same is true of Star Trek fans. They believe that someday man will sail right out of the Milky Way and beam down to visit some Klingons. They would like their bodies put in a super-frozen state and thawed when that future date materializes. Reality seems to be a concept that they struggle with.

Humans since the garden have been placing their bet on a fig leaf. God put us here and we will be accountable to Him. We are His creation.

Romans 14:12

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Matthew 12:36-37

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Look, Dick Tracy, this is reality

Think about it.

Gary

“Texas Rattlesnake Handler Dies After Bite at Festival” was the headline of the article. I would think that being a rattlesnake handler must require a high insurance premium. How do you practice that occupation? What’s the learning curve? Do friends and family mind staying at your house? It seems that you can lose even after you are at the top of your game. Maybe you lose interest, but the snake never does.

The Scripture has a lot to say about this type of animal:

1 Corinthians 10:9

We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Some prosperity teachers lay claim to being handlers of the serpent. Many have suffered the same fate as the snake handler in my opening narrative. Only One Man has been designed to handle him and that is the Lord Jesus.

Revelation 20:2

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

Don’t mess with the serpent; it doesn’t matter how brave you are.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I certainly wouldn’t want to be alone on life’s river as it carves its treacherous course through uncertainty. What’s around the next bend? Is there another rapids or waterfalls? Can my vessel handle the distance? What about the hidden rocks?

This poem has been an encouragement to me because my life belongs to Him and I rest upon His promises.

“Behind our life the Weaver stands

And works His wondrous will;

We leave it all in His wise hands,

And trust His perfect skill.

Should mystery enshroud His plan,

And our short sight be dim,

We will not try the whole to scan,

But leave each thread to Him.”

–       C. Murray

Psalm 16:11

You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Exodus 33:15

Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.”

Genesis 28:16

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”

Give it some thought.

Gary