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This blog post is Part 22 of a series entitled "From Fear To Freedom" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN. 

Message Date: August 4, 2024

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Every one of us has a story of pain, and trials, and brokenness, and uncertainty, and testing; every one of us. As I consider my story of trials, and I ask you to do the same with yours this morning, I begin asking you to ponder this question:

Does God orchestrate painful experiences as a time of testing for you, or are your personal wilderness trials a result of another arbitrary force in your life?

In short, are my times of testing from God or from something else? Keep that question before you this morning. As you do, look at what the apostle Paul wrote, roughly 1,570 years after Moses led God’s people into the wilderness:

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

Paul is emphasizing that all of the nation of Israel saw the same miraculous moments. Every single one of them. They witnessed the plagues inflicted upon Egypt while, upon the places where the Hebrews lived, no plague even touched them. While being chased by Pharaoh and his army of every single chariot in Egypt, the entirety, 2 million strong, of the nation of Israel were protected by the cloud and lead through the dry land across the Red Sea. Every baby, boy, girl, teenager, man, and woman all experienced the deliverance from God. Yet, notice what Paul says in verse 5:

Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:5

What does Paul mean here? Simply: The Hebrews bodies are buried all throughout the wilderness. Why? Why did this happen? Well, we are going to see as we journey on with Moses that these people, every single one of them who left Egypt that Passover night with their dough in hands before it was leavened and their kneading bowels bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders... every one of them, though witnesses to the magnificent way in which God used Moses to lead them unto freedom... every one of them, though crossing the waters on dry ground and turning to witness their enemy’s dead bodies washed upon the shores of the Reed Sea... every one of them, though receiving from God an oasis in the desert of 12 springs and 70 palm trees... every one of them complains and disobeys God.

And over the next forty years, while wandering in the desert, every one of them will die. Not a single person who journeyed out of Egypt that night, will step foot into Canaan; the promise land; the land flowing with milk and honey. Look at what else Paul says:

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did - and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did - and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did - and were killed by the destroying angel. 1 Corinthians 10:6-10

Notice the 4 ways in which Paul details the nation of Israel fails God. He says this about the Hebrews. They:
1. Idolize.
2. Commit sexual immorality.
3. Test God.
4. Grumble.

Let me ask this: Which of these 4 sins is the worst of all? The answer: None! They are all atrocious because they are all sins! Now… in full disclosure, at first read I did think, “Isn't it interesting that the sin of ‘grumbling’ is listed with these other three atrocious acts of sin!” I then I had to remind myself... all sin is atrocious to God! Now... some might say that cheating on a spouse is much more atrocious that lying on a time sheet at work.  It is not! Others might think that developing an addiction to pornography is much more atrocious than developing a habit of gossiping about others. It most certainly is not! And the inclusion of the sin of “grumbling” here in 1 Corinthians is very telling to us as a humanity about just how serious God takes complaining. Approximately 1,570 years later, Paul is inventorying the sins of God’s people. And he includes on this short list the act of “grumbling.” Over the course of this study, we will see such grumbling manifest on the part of the Israelites as complaining; negativity; and the blaming of God for the challenges they face. All of this is “grumbling.” As a matter of fact, look at what Moses says about their grumbling and to whom it is actually directed:

Exodus 16:8

Then, look at what Paul says about the actions of God’s people in the wilderness with Moses:

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

Paul's words offer a warning to us as followers of the Christ, Church, that we should not do and be as the nation of Israel. This includes “complaining.” Do you see how very serious God takes complaining? 1,500 years after the fact, Paul is still talking about this horrific sin! Paul tells us that these things have happened as examples for us, the holy Church. He is instructing us that not only were the Israelites making history, but they were also making history so that you and I can learn from their experiences. And then, look at this critical warning from Paul that ends with an exclamation point:

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12

There are 31,000 verses in the Bible. Only a little over 1,000 end with an exclamation point. That is only 3.2% of all the verses in the Bible. I have made it a point that, every time I come across a verse that ends in an explanation point, I spend a significant amount of time pondering such a verse. Man, what a warning for us each. Sadly, so very many of us find ourselves in this very place – believing that we are firm, or as this word means in the Greek:

Firm / Greek/ verb = established in faith

Paul is saying that such spiritual arrogance can set you and me up for quite the fall. Well... this is precisely what happens to the nation of Israel. Let’s read on today:

Exodus 16:1-12

1. Testing is a part of your journey.

I wonder as you read this passage if there is something that immediately draws your attention? For me, it is the sad reality of just how very quickly God’s people begin to grumble. Actually, in case you missed it, the word “grumbling” appears in these few short verses 6 times! Remember, it was just a little over a month ago when they witnessed the bodies of the world’s most powerful army floating dead before their eyes. God tells Moses in verse 4, “I am going to test them.” This is a way in which we see God work over and again in His Word with His people. The Psalmist speaks of this very thing when he writes:

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23

Testing is often hard and difficult and painful and revealing. As you and I go through testing, and we know God’s Word says we do, ironically, following what God commands in such moments, though an often extremely difficult process, proves to be a trial absolutely worth journeying. Each time we read of the word “test” in both the OT and NT, this word is translated:

Test / Hebrew / Greek / verb = to prove worthy by trial

So we can surmise by this definition that:

God tests you in order to prove that your faith in Him is genuine.

There is a story in the New Testament of a time when Jesus’ close friend, Lazarus, passes. Rather than going to see him quickly, Jesus waits three days to visit him. His followers wonder why Jesus takes so long to go and see Lazarus. Look at the reason as to why Jesus says He waits:

“Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” John 11:14

Jesus says, “I am doing this so that you will believe!” Again, in both the Old and New Testaments, the word “test” is translated as “to prove by trial.” Therefore, when God tests His children, there is a process by which we are placed on “trial.” And it is how you and I respond to such testing that produces evidence to our belief in Him... or lack thereof. God’s purpose in such times is to test your faith in an attempt for you to prove that your faith is real, that your hope is in Him, and that your determination is to follow His lead no matter how difficult your personal wilderness terrain.

Now... here is what is truly enthralling about this process: If God is an all knowing, all powerful God, then why does He need to test you in order to see the level at which is the faith you possess? Well, the answer is simply: He does not. He already knows you fully; completely. You see... The proof is not for God! The proof is for you! Look again at what Moses says to the people will happen as they trust Him with their every step on this journey to Canaan:

Exodus 16:6-7a

The Lord is not taking these people on such a journey of testing for His knowledge. No! He is doing so, so that these people will arrive at the knowledge that it is the Lord who has brought them out of the land of Egypt and into a land of green pastures, and lush waters, and fruitful soil. What too is ironic about your journey, even when marred with pain...

2. Even amidst your testing, joy is yours for the taking.

Here’s a fun fact for you! Look at this important question the people of Israel ask in verse 15:

Exodus 16:13-15

The three words “what is it” in the Hebrew read:

What is it? / Hebrew / = man hu

“What is it?” in Hebrews is pronounced: “man hu!” The name “manna” appears to be related by similar sound to the Hebrew translated expression: “What is it?” Isn’t that intriguing? Therefore, it is from this Hebrew question, “What is it?”, or “man hu,” that we arrive at the term manna. Again... as we often allow Scripture to prove to us... there are no coincidences with God! Moses answers the Hebrews saying:

Exodus 16:16-18

By the way, an Omer is the equivalent weight of about 4 pounds. This appears to be humanities first “all you can eat!” Moses tells them, “Take as much as you can eat.” Who here has your favorite place to eat where you can go and have “all you can eat?” My father-in-law loves an “all you can eat” catfish place! Amy loves to go to Demos in Lebanon or Murfreesboro and get “all you can eat” soup and salad. And you guys know it’s true... I love Cinco for many reasons, but my favorite is the “all you can eat” ... Margaritas... just kidding! No, I love the “all you can eat” chips and salsa! Y’all, God provided for His people even while He is testing them... even still while they are complaining! And He provided them with “man hu” by day and quail by night all they can eat! God even provided in a way that preserved the food from spoiling, yet did not require the Israelites to do anything to receive this blessing on the Sabbath:

Exodus 16:22-26

And then, look at: Exodus 16:31

What a joy this was for the nation of Israel to be provided for by God in a way that gave them a sweet tasting treat every morning! You see, even while they are still being tested... and still complaining, God has their best interest at heart and continues to bless these people.

God orchestrates times of testing that bring joy to you and bring glory to Himself.

In the New Testament, James wrote:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2

And Isaiah reminds us in the Old Testament:

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

Peter said this:

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

You may be thinking, “Well, Pastor, all of these verses sound good and say good things... but... I do not feel very refined in the middle of my hurt.” Let me just say, “I get it! I really do!” This is why I want to remind you that:

3. With God, there is always a testimony in your testing.

You see... testing from God presents an opportunity for you to refine your faithfulness for God. And in doing so, there is always, always a story worth telling... even if you do not get the end result you desire. Look at what Moses tells the nation of Israel that God commands they do to continue the testimony of His faithfulness for generations to come:

Exodus 16:32-35

I know families who are living with loss and hurt... The thing about trials and testing that is so very difficult for us as a humanity is that pain is almost always a close companion of our times of testing. But even amidst the pain, and even when suffering loss, and the loss of a loved one, for the one who is placed their hope in Jesus Christ, there is always a testimony in the testing; always. Now... for those of you presently journeying through your own wilderness story of testing... I want to respond to the question with which I began:

Does God orchestrate painful experiences as a time of testing for you, or are your personal wilderness trials a result of another arbitrary force in your life?

My response: Either can be true. Simultaneously, both can be true. As a follower of the Christ, it is likely that you will go through both, times of testing orchestrated by God, and too, times of trials as a result of sin in a fallen world. Whether your very immediate struggle is a testing orchestrated by God or a trial as a result of sin in the world, it is always to your benefit to journey obediently through the difficulties God allows. You see, obedience is the catalyst from my pain to God’s glory. Jesus understood this truth. Before going to the Cross, He prayed:

My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. Matthew 26:39

And I remind you of God’s command to Israel and His promise for Israel we examined in Exodus 15 last week:

Exodus 15:26

God did not necessarily remove His people from their challenging situation. But He did provide for their needs in this midst of their testing. It is always to your benefit to journey obediently through the difficulties God allows. And... Passing the test does not inevitably ensure you get what you want. We are going to see exactly this with Moses. Here’s a glimpse ahead as to what will be said of this man, Moses:

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt - to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10-12

This man goes down in the biblical history books as one of the “greats!” Moses passes the test! Yet, he will not set foot in Canaan, the Promise Land. Your times of testing through which you journey, do not inevitably ensure, in the end, you get what you desire... But it is through your faithfulness, you give God what He desires, your obedience.

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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.