Several years ago, I was miffed about a decision someone else made that would have a potentially negative impact on my family. Their decision and the likely consequences seemed selfish, careless, and even destructive. My husband and I were discussing the situation one night and I was getting angrier and angrier with each point that was made. “How could they?!” “Do they actually think this is ok?” I wanted action. I wanted to confront. I wanted to let that person know just what we thought about their actions. My husband and I agreed on the hurtful situation, but he suggested a different course of action.

Nothing.

That’s right. Do nothing. Say nothing. 

I kept pressing the point and my husband gave his reason for his course of non-action. He said, “We could tell them how we feel, but the wheels are already in motion. Besides, the Lord always takes care of us.”

And that was it. Nothing. Nothing was left of the anger and hostility that had been driving me for the previous hour. It was gone.

When I took my eyes off the problem and looked at the Lord, the giver of all good things, my perception of the situation shifted. We had just come out of a hard season in which the Lord never left our side. We watched Him move mountains and cover every detail of our lives with His goodness. The first real upset since that season turned me inside out. It was embarrassing how quickly I forgot Who is in control – regardless of what others may decide to do.

I reminded myself of the Israelites after fleeing Egypt. If you’ve never read Exodus all the way through (versus just skimming for highlights), I highly recommend it. The book of Exodus is a frustrating mirror to our human condition. It’s difficult to watch how little faith the Israelites have in the God who chose them, saved them, led them, and kept them. He proved Himself over and over and they grumbled at every turn. It’s especially difficult to realize how much they resemble us (me).

Before the Israelites even left their Egyptian slave masters, Exodus 12:26 says that the Lord made the Egyptians look favorably on the Israelites. This alone was a miracle. The Egyptians gave them what they asked for, which included silver and gold. On their way out of captivity, the Israelites plundered the Egyptians. Wow. God didn’t make the Israelites flee with nothing – they had provisions given from their captors.

Instead of being grateful for their freedom and marveling at the bounty they’d left with, they questioned God at the first sign of trouble. In chapter 14, Pharaoh changed his mind, and he and his army chased the Israelites in the desert. When the Israelites saw they were being chased, their response was, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?” Pharaoh and his army were barreling toward them on one side and the Red Sea was on the other. And we know what happened next: Moses told the Israelites not to be afraid and to stand firm, that the Lord would fight for them. And He did. He parted the Red Sea, gave the Israelites dry ground to cross. When Pharaoh and his army followed the parted path, the Red Sea reunited and swallowed up Pharaoh and the entire Egyptian army. In an instant, the Lord wiped away the threat and brought the Israelites to safety.

The Israelites sang praises to the Lord, but then a few days later in their journey, they couldn’t find any water. When they finally found water, it was bitter. They were quick to grumble. Moses cried out to the Lord, and the water turned sweet. After being filled with sweet water, they began to grumble about not having food. The Lord rained down sweet bread from the sky. Then they wanted meat. The Lord gave them meat.

Later, when Moses seemed to be taking too long on the mountain with God (Exodus 32), the Israelites abandoned all faith in Moses’ leadership and God. They took the gold they’d plundered from the Egyptians, melted it down and made a golden calf for them to worship. It’s startling to read.

Throughout Exodus, God showed His constant care and protection, but if anything seemed to be a threat, the Israelites questioned the goodness of God.

As an observer, I’m so tempted to judge the Israelites for their short-sightedness, spiritual immaturity, and lack of faith even in the presence of an undeniable God.

And then I realize I can be just like them. God also chose me, saved me, led me, and kept me. He has proven Himself over and over and so often I grumble at every turn. But I’m no less protected than the Israelites. He gives me (and all who are His) as much of Himself as He gave the Israelites.

As for my story above, I’m not suggesting that doing nothing is always the right course of action; you’ll need to ask the Lord for direction for your circumstances. But as soon as my husband reminded me the Lord always takes care of us, the Spirit revealed that I was wasting my time worrying. It was clear that the only action we were responsible for was to continue being faithful where the Lord had us, and let Him handle the rest. I had total peace, and we never even discussed the situation again. An emotionally charged response was diffused just by the mention of His Name and His perfect track record.

He is the creator and giver of all good things.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

Dear Lord, thank You for being the creator and giver of good things. You want things to go well with us, even as we live in this fallen world. May our eyes remain fixed on You and not our circumstances. Your thoughts and Your ways are always better than ours. Praise You for Your faithfulness even when we doubt Your goodness. We love You, Lord. Maranatha! Amen.