If today you hear hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

“Is the Lord in our midst or not?”  (Exodus 17: 7 NABRE)

The children of Israel driven by severe thirst in the desert posed this point blank question to God at Massah and Meribah. This place became known as place of rebellion.

Have you ever been driven by extreme adversity to challenge God?  "O God, where are You?"  The psalmist again and again shout out:   "Answer me God. Don't be deaf to my prayers and my cries for help!"  (Cf Psalm 39: 12, 143: 7, 28:1, 35: 22, etc).  But why would God allow us to be driven to this level of desperation that we rebel?  I have been in many such situation in my life.  I have learned the following:

#1.  God is a Father and a Teacher who knows exactly what we need and is teaching us what is best for us.
#2. Man's extremity is God's opportunity.

God uses our adversities as teaching moment.  What son who is valued by his father does not train him for success and integrity?  (Cf Hebrews 12: 7)

On Day 19 of 40 of Lent 2017,
"Oh, that today you would hear his voice: Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert."   (Psalm 95:  7 - 8)

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