Psalms 78:17-32: a reflection

17Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert. 18They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire. 19Yes, they spoke against God. They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? 20Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?” 21Therefore the LORD heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel, 22because they didn’t believe in God, and didn’t trust in his salvation. 23Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven. 24He rained down manna on them to eat, and gave them food from the sky. 25Man ate the bread of angels. He sent them food to the full. 26He caused the east wind to blow in the sky. By his power he guided the south wind. 27He also rained meat on them as the dust, winged birds as the sand of the seas. 28He let them fall in the middle of their camp, around their habitations. 29So they ate, and were well filled. He gave them their own desire. 30They didn’t turn from their cravings. Their food was yet in their mouths, 31when the anger of God went up against them, killed some of their strongest, and struck down the young men of Israel. 32For all this they still sinned, and didn’t believe in his wondrous works.

This psalm recalls a striking failure of God's people in the wilderness: they doubted God's provision even after he had already proved it. They had seen God strike the rock so that water gushed out; yet they went on to ask, in unbelief, can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people? Having witnessed one provision, they doubted the next; the God who had given them water, they doubted could give them food. Their unbelief doubted God despite the very evidence of his faithfulness they had already seen. This grieved God: they didn't believe in God, and didn't trust in his salvation, even after all he had done. The failure was unbelief, doubting God's provision despite the proof he had already given. To doubt God despite what he has already done is a real failure of faith.

Notice the failure the psalm names: doubting God despite what he had already done. The people had seen God's provision, the water from the rock; they had evidence of his faithfulness and power. Yet they doubted whether he could provide again, asking, can he give bread also? Their unbelief was not for lack of evidence; they doubted despite the evidence, failing to trust the God who had already proved faithful. This is a subtle and common failure: to doubt God's provision or faithfulness in a new situation, even though he has already shown himself faithful before. The past provision should have grounded their trust; instead they doubted. To fail to trust God for the present despite what he has already done for us is a failure of faith the psalm marks soberly. God had proved himself; their doubt was without excuse. Remembering what God has already done should steady our trust, not leave us doubting.

That is worth taking to heart, for we should not doubt God despite what he has already done for us. We can find ourselves doubting God's provision or faithfulness in a new trouble, even though he has already shown himself faithful to us before; but the psalm marks this as the failure of Israel, who doubted whether God could give bread even after he had given water. To doubt God despite the evidence of his past faithfulness is a real failure of faith. What he has already done should ground our trust for the present. Do not doubt God's faithfulness in your present trouble despite all he has already done for you; let his past faithfulness ground your trust. Let what God has already done for you ground your trust rather than doubting him in each new trouble, as Israel doubted whether God could give bread even after he had struck the rock and given them water; for to doubt God's provision despite the evidence of his past faithfulness is a real failure of faith, and remembering what he has already done should steady our trust for the present rather than leaving us doubting the God who has already proved himself faithful.

Lord, this psalm recalls a striking failure of your people in the wilderness: they doubted your provision even after you had already proved it. They had seen you strike the rock so that water gushed out; yet they went on to ask, in unbelief, can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people? Having witnessed one provision, they doubted the next; you who had given them water, they doubted could give them food. Their unbelief doubted you despite the very evidence of your faithfulness they had already seen. This grieved you: they didn't believe in God, and didn't trust in his salvation. Show me the failure the psalm names: doubting you despite what you had already done. The people had seen your provision, the water from the rock; they had evidence of your faithfulness. Yet they doubted whether you could provide again. Their unbelief was not for lack of evidence; they doubted despite the evidence. This is a subtle and common failure: to doubt your provision in a new situation, even though you have already shown yourself faithful. The past provision should have grounded their trust; instead they doubted. Take that to my heart, for I should not doubt you despite what you have already done for me. I can find myself doubting your provision or faithfulness in a new trouble, even though you have already shown yourself faithful to me before; but the psalm marks this as the failure of Israel. What you have already done should ground my trust for the present. Keep me from doubting your faithfulness in my present trouble despite all you have already done for me; let your past faithfulness ground my trust, Lord, rather than leaving me doubting the God who has already proved himself faithful, as Israel doubted whether you could give bread after you had given them water.