Scripture: Exodus 16:9-18 - Manna and Quail

2 Ways Israel Rejected God:

1. They Grumbled
   • Numbers 11:4-6
   • The Israelites complained about being thirsty, God gave them water; they grumbled about starving, so God gave them manna; they grumbled about not having meat, so He gave them quail.
   • selective amnesia: amnesia about particular events that is very convenient for the person to not remember.
   • We always remember the things that we used to have, instead of focusing on the things that God is currently providing for us.
   • "Discontentment magnifies what is past and vilifies what is present, without regard to truth or reason." — Matthew Henry
   • How can we show so much impatience, ingratitude or distrust of God when He has provided so much.
   • By rejecting / forgetting His provisions, we also reject God.
2. They Disobeyed
   • God puts obstacles or truly difficult situations in our way to test our obedience to God.
   • Who will we turn to in our times of trouble? What will we do?
   • Exodus 16:18
   • If we listen to what God has told us, He will honour us.
   • Sometimes God will require us to give up something precious or do something extremely challenging / difficult. In the end, He will always make sure we will be rewarded.

How to trust God in difficult times?

1. Remember God's Faithfulness.
   • Exodus 16:32
   • We need to remember that God has provided in the past and He will continue to provide in the present and future.
2. Be Honest with God.
   • It is OK for us to complain to God because He will listen to us in our misery and eventually rescue us.
   • Still, in spite of our complaining, we need to recognize that God is ultimately our provider.
   • Where the Israelites failed was that in their complaining they turned away from God instead of turning to Him.
3. Prayer for Help.
   • Philippians 4:-6-7
   • If we present our requests to God through prayer, He will find a way to answer them.