Psalm 78:19-22

“They spoke against God, saying: Can God spread a table in the desert? When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply food for his people?”

When the LORD heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.”

Human nature is the same in all ages. On a comparison of ourselves with the ancient Jews, we are ready to suppose that we are better than they. But, if we were subjected to the same trials as they, and as faithful a record were kept of all the workings of our hearts, perhaps our incorrigible perverseness would be found to be equal or worse than theirs.

I. Their murmuring manifests an evil heart of unbelief.

Unbelief often assumes the garb of humility. But the evil of it appears,

1. From the construction which God himself has put upon it.

He says, “They spoke against God,” when they questioned his power to give them food. And this is what we do, whenever we call in question God’s power to effect anything which our necessities require. He has declared himself to be possessed of all power in Heaven and in earth, “I am the Almighty God! Genesis 17:1.” But when we limit his power, we represent him as unworthy of our belief; or, as John strongly expresses it, “We make him a liar! 1 John 5:10.” We may not intend to cast this reflection upon him; but we do it; and, in fact, reduce him to a level with his creatures!

As for our acknowledgments of his past interpositions, these aggravate, rather than excuse, our doubts of his power; since they are standing witnesses for him; and our doubts are entertained in direct opposition to their testimony. Let us not, therefore, imagine that the giving of glory to God for past favors, will at all palliate our refusal of credit to him for the future; for, on the contrary, he will rather say to us, “Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you calumniator of your God!”

2. From the indignation which God manifested on account of it.

“When he heard these unbelieving doubts, he was angry; and so a fire was kindled in Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel,” and “he smote them with a very great and fatal plague! Numbers 11:33.” Now, it is true that we do not see the same displeasure exercised on us; but we can have no doubt but that our unbelief is as offensive to God as theirs was. Indeed, it involves us in deeper guilt; because his mercies to us, in our redemption by Christ, infinitely exceed all which the Jews experienced in the wilderness. And, if we still harbor unbelief in our hearts, it will bring down a proportionably heavier judgment than what theirs brought on them.

They were excluded from the earthly Canaan for their unbelief; but we shall be excluded from Heaven itself, and from the everlasting enjoyment of our God! Hebrews 3:19; Hebrews 4:1; Hebrews 4:11.”

Seeing, then, that unbelief is so offensive to him, let us note that,

II. God approves a heart and mind of faith.

This is clearly intimated in our text; His anger was kindled against Israel, “because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation.” Of all the images that human wisdom can suggest, no one can be devised so complete as that before us, for the purpose of illustrating a life of faith.

The people of Israel were brought out of Egypt, but:
they knew not one step of the way that they were to take;
they were not provided with any sustenance;
they were incapable of protecting themselves against any enemy;
they had to pass through a country infested with wild beasts, and full of obstacles apparently insurmountable!

Consequently, they had to trust to God for everything from day to day; and, in dependence upon him, to expect a successful termination of their labors in a peaceful enjoyment of the Promised Land. A new-born infant was not more incapable of providing for itself than they; yet were they to prosecute their journey without fear, and without any apprehension respecting its final outcome.

Now this is precisely the frame of mind which God expects from us. We must feel our dependence on him as much as they did. We must look to him in every difficulty; and expect from him a supply of every need; and never move, but as guided and directed by him. If trials arise, they must drive us all to him, and lead us to expect from him the more visible manifestations of his power and love. If he delays, we must wait his time. If he appear for a time to have forgotten us, we must regard it only as a call to give him a more abundant measure of glory, by a full persuasion, that “in the mount of difficulty, he will be seen;” and that, though he were to allow us all to perish, he would rather raise us up again from the dead than fail to accomplish anyone of his promises! Such was Abraham’s faith; and such should be ours also, Hebrews 11:17-19; and “sooner shall Heaven and earth pass away” than one such believer ever fall short of the promised inheritance.

And now let me address,

1. Those who murmur.

Alas! to what an awful degree has discontent raged in our hearts under circumstances of trial; so that we have dared to question, not only the willingness of God, but even the power of God to relieve us! Nay, we have even, like Jonah, vindicated our complaints, and thought that “we did well to be angry.”

But remember, brethren, that God is the disposer of all events; and, while you vent your rage against those who may have been accessary to your troubles—that your murmuring is in reality against God. Beware, I beg you, lest you provoke him to anger, and bring down upon your souls his heavy displeasure. Your wisdom and your duty is, under every affliction, to “be silent before God,” or to say, “It is the Lord, let him do what seems good to him!”

2. Those who doubt.

You limit the mercies of your God. “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I have a child, who am old? Genesis 18:12-13.” And why do you allow any difficulties to shake your confidence in God? “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”

Peter, when he saw the waves, began to sink through fear. But our Lord reproved him, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

So then I say to you: Look only to the promises; and do not think whether they be more or less difficult of accomplishment; but take them; plead them; rest on them; expect the fulfillment of them; and be assured, that “not one thing shall fail, of all the good things which the Lord your God has promised to you! Joshua 23:14.” “Faithful is He who has called you; who also will do it 1 Thessalonians 5:24.”

3. Those who are true believers.

“Hold fast to your confidence in God.” This will bring peace unto your souls, and will give glory to your God. Of all the graces that have been ever exercised by the Lord’s people, no one has been so much noticed, and so highly applauded by him, as faith. Even when as bright an assemblage of graces as ever were united, were called forth into exercise by the penitent Mary, nothing but her faith was noticed by our Lord, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace! Luke 7:50.” In fact, as it is that which, more than any other grace, honors God—faith beyond every other grace, shall be honored by him. “Be strong then in faith, giving glory to God!” “According to your faith, it shall be unto you.”

Charles Simeon