Are you stiff-necked or grateful?

Nehemiah 9:15 

"In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock:  you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them." 

Last time I wrote I talked of God's provisions.  Now, let's look at how the Israelites responded to those provisions.

Nehemiah 9:16-17a

“But they, our forefathers, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and did not obey your commands.  They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them.  They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery.”

Wow, God had provided all those years for them but they still had a tough time in the trust department.  Have you ever had difficulty with the trust?  Last time I wrote I asked readers to respond to God’s provisions.  Although I didn’t get any comments back, I hope that you at least thought about God’s provisions in your life.  If not, take a moment to write them down or at least think about them.  Now, think about your response to those provisions.  Do you take them for granted?  Are you thankful each day for them?  Have you gone so far to step out of your comfort zone and see what God has planned for you?  Or, are you being stiff-necked because you aren’t getting your way, in your time, and how you had it planned?  I for one find myself more like the Israelites, complaining, moping, and even being a little stiff-necked.  I forget about the past provisions and only think about what I don’t or won’t have rather than what I do have.  If you are like me, there is hope for both of us as we look at the next characteristics God.

Nehemiah 9:17b -18

“But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.  Therefore you did not desert them, even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, “This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies. “

God displayed His patience with these people beyond measure and He will do the same for you and me.  Remember to thank Him today for the provisions He has given you and let Him know that you trust Him to continue to provide for your future.  If you have become stiff-necked or doubtful, ask Him to forgive you as He is a forgiving God.

I am so grateful to know a God who is patient with me and forgives me each and every time that I fail Him.  Next time we will look at the patience God displayed to Moses.  If you have some time today, read Exodus 3 and we will discuss it later.  Seek Him with all your hearts as you read through this passage and be blessed.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila