Happy New Year

As we begin this New Year one of the things to be concerned about is our

LACK OF FAITH

this can be another major cause of bitterness, according to Exodus 15:22-25(“So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.(23)And when they came to Marah (bitter), they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.(24)And the people murmured (refused to go any farther) against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? (25) And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them”),. While we have little control over circumstances, we can exercise much control over our faith. How does a LACK OF FAITH produce bitterness? Well let’s look at the Israelites, and their lapse of faith. This condition was brought about primarily because they forgot the past, and I think this is exactly what happens to us. God had just performed one of the greatest miracles in the Bible. He had parted the Red Sea. Stood it on edge like two giant walls reaching into Heaven, while the Jews (between 3 and 5 million), walked across on dry land (Exodus 14:21,22). In a few days, however, their joy had turned from MIRACLE to MURMURING (Exodus 15:24). God had just delivered them from death. God knew exactly where they were, where they were going, and what they needed to get there, but they were not content to live by faith. In fact they wanted to stop following God and return to Egypt. It has been my experience that trials bring either confidence in God, or bitterness toward God. Trials tend to make us bitter or better. How have the trials in your life influenced you?
What has God done for you in the past? If you are a Christian, He has saved and preserved your soul for eternity, and promised you abundant life here and now. If He NEVER does anything else, that should be enough to cause rejoicing in our life rather than bitterness. Paul said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things." (Philippians 4:8). Remember what God has done, before you start worrying and fretting over what He needs to do. This is a LACK OF FAITH.