In Deuteronomy, chapter eight, verse three, the Lord brought testings and troubles to His people in the wilderness to teach them that one’s life does not consist only of the physical. Moderately, one’s well-being depends on one’s relationship with God and obedience to His Word. However, both physical and spiritual must be in unison to follow instructions. At times the Lord may permit difficulties in our lives as a form of fatherly discipline to train us to depend on Him more firmly and receive His Word more willingly.
The Israelites were a prime example of not following God’s Word but murmuring about the physical conditions and lack of food. They desired more physical food instead of spiritual. Therefore the Israelites had difficulty in the wilderness because their heart was more firmly on needs and not God’s Word and promises. Complaining instead of showing contentment towards God only prolongs their journey until the first generation eventually does not survive the wilderness. The Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the promised land was supposed to be days, but they were out there for years.
Man does not live by bread alone is to feed on God’s Holy Word to sustain in this life and be a blessing to others. However, some Christians do not understand and still try to business their way through, thinking that the way to prosper is to milk the congregation to give. However, followers of God suppose to ask and trust God to work out their needs. Even though we live in the flesh, the daily approach is to connect with God in the spirit. What we say too, and how we say it determines how we live. “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble,” as stated in Psalms nine verse nine. Christians should allow God to help them in times of conflict, problems, and bad situations where it seems impossible. Not for us to make trouble, become difficult, or create a bad situation.