Quail vs Manna

Where I am: Living Room, sitting on couch
Weather: Clear 63 Degrees (It's chilly in the house, I have a blanket around me!)
Noises: Dad's TV, my typing
Sights: Nothing special
Mood: Hopeful

Today, I memorized another card from Beth Moore's Praying God's Word. I did this while I was doing my hike in the hills. It says:

"When I said, 'My foot is slipping', You, O Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."
Psalm 94:18-19.

Last week I randomly pulled 4 cards from this box, hoping to have some words of wisdom to read when I was heading to the hills to pour out my heart to God. You see, I had sinned greatly. My heart was burdened, broken and weary of carrying a load that I chose to carry. I knowingly walked a path that I knew was slippery! And, not surprisingly, I slipped and fell. My shame was powerful - I'm not a new Christian. I know God's Word pretty well. I've walked with Him for over 25 years. And I hid in my sin, wallowed in my sin, and ended up being so covered by it, I couldn't see who I am in Christ. I only saw my yuck.

And the verse above, was on one of the cards I randomly chose (maybe I chose it randomly, but God knew which one I'd pick!) It brought much needed comfort to me. Thank you, God.

That day - as I began my walk up the hill, a bunch of quail ran across my path. I didn't understand why, but I couldn't get the quail out of my mind. Even after I had confessed my sin to God, and felt the release of my burden and received clear direction - the quail kept coming to my mind.

So, I went to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and entered "quail" to see what God's Word said about them. The only time that quail is referenced in the Bible is when the Israelites were in the desert, complaining that all they had was manna to eat. They missed the meat they had in Egypt. So God gave them quail.

Numbers 11:4[ Quail from the LORD ] The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat!

Numbers 11:31-31 Now a wind went out from the LORD and drove quail in from the sea. It brought them down all around the camp to about three feet above the ground, as far as a day's walk in any direction. 32 All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers. (1 homer is approximately 2 full bags loaded on a donkey!) Then they spread them out all around the camp. 33 But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34 Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

Psalm 78:26-30:"He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens; and by his power he guided the south wind. He rained flesh also upon them as the dust, and winged birds as the sand of the seas: And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their habitations. So they did eat, and were well filled; and he gave them to their own desire."

Psalm 105:40They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

A few things I noticed:

• The people were not happy with what God was providing for them (Manna from heaven was boring, a little bland, and the same thing they had last night, the day before, etc.)
• They longed for Egypt's meat. It was tasty, spicey, good to eat.
• God allowed them to have what they wanted - He gave them to their own desires. (Wow!)
• The quail did not satisfy them. Only the bread of heaven satisfied them - the very thing they were tired of and wanted replaced.

I asked for "quail". I grumbled for "quail". I was not happy with the life God had chosen for me right now. So - God allowed "quail" in my life. And I greedily, devoured it. I was given to my own desires. And it did not satisfy. It left me sick and dead inside. What is it that will satisfy? Bread from heaven - manna.

I am no longer grumbling for "quail". God's manna is what satisfies me - even if it seems boring and a little bland sometimes. I am choosing God's manna over Egypt's "quail", knowing that the land of promise, flowing with milk and honey is just up ahead. Manna is good. No...it's more than good..it satisfies.