Scripture to Read: Psalm 95:7b–9
God challenges us today to be sure and listen closely to His voice. God tells us in Psalm 95:7b–9, “Today, if you would hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness, 9 ‘When your fathers tested Me, they tried Me, though they had seen My work.’” God used David to remind us all that we must not harden our hearts as the Israelites did when they provoked God while they were in the wilderness after being delivered from Egypt. God had David use the example of Meribah and Massah, which is recorded in Exodus 17:2–7. God’s word tells us in Exodus 17:7, “He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us, or not?’” The Israelites griped, complained, and quarreled with Moses, and of course, against God for taking them out of Egypt because they could not find water in the wilderness. So, as God led David to write Psalm 95, He used David to warn us not to quarrel with Him or distrust Him even when our circumstances may seem bleak. The Israelites had seen God’s incredible Hand of deliverance, even as they walked through the middle of the Red Sea on dry land as God delivered them from their bondage to the Egyptians. But they still did not trust Him to provide for their daily needs. We must always trust our Lord, no matter what we face.
Challenge & Application
· How has God taught you through harsh circumstances you’ve been through to trust Him?
· How have you helped others when they’ve been tempted not to trust God in their challenging situation?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!