In Good Times and Bad

The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.

--Exodus 15:2  (NKJV)

From the daily Bible reading on February 4, 2013 of Psalm 27; Matthew 24:29-51; Exodus 15-16.

God used Moses and Aaron to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.  Then He destroyed their pursuing enemy, delivering them to salvation across dry land in the midst of the Red Sea.  Once on the other side they celebrated, singing songs of praise to the Lord for saving them, for freeing them from their oppressors.  But just a few days later, when these memories should have still been fresh in their minds, they began to complain, accusing Moses and Aaron of bringing them into the wilderness to die of hunger.  Moses reminded them that they were really complaining against God, since Moses had done nothing without His hand, but the Lord gave them another miracle and provided food for them there in the desert.  This cycle repeated throughout their forty year wanderings through the wilderness: they praised God when He provided for them and gave them a miracle, they complained when He didn't.  We tend to do the same thing today, praising God during the good times, when He has done something good for us, but complaining during the bad times, questioning Him and blaming Him when things don't go the way we want them to.  Paul tells us to give thanks in all things and we should.  No matter the circumstance, no matter what befalls us, we can find something to give God thanks for.  We must remember He has never turned His back on us, has always been by our side, especially during the bad times, when He often carries us.  He is our God, let us praise Him.

Loving and merciful Father, forgive us when we take Your daily blessings for granted.  Forgive us when we forget to thank you for all You do for us, in good times and bad.  Thank you, O Lord, for our salvation.  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.