HOW LONG WILL THIS PEOPLE PROVOKE ME?

 

JULY 15.
 
How long will this people provoke me ?
Numbers 14:11

 
NOTHING is so provoking to God as unbelief, and
  yet there is nothing to which we are more prone.
 
He has spoken to us in his word;
  he has spoken plainly;
  he has repeated his promises again and again;
  he has confirmed them all by the blood
    of his own dear son; and
  yet we do not believe him.
 
Is not this provoking?
 
What would provoke a master like
  a servant refusing to believe him?
 
Or, what would provoke a father like
  a child refusing to believe him?
 
The man of honour feels himself insulted 

  if he possessed friends
  refuses to believe his solemn protestation; and
  yet this is the way in which we daily treat our God.
 
He says, “Confess, and I will pardon you.”
But we doubt it.
 
He says, “Call upon me and I will deliver you.”
But we doubt it.
 
He says, “I will supply all your needs.”
But we doubt it.
 
He says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”
But who has not questioned it?
 
Let us seriously think of his own words,
   “He that believeth not God hath made him a liar;”
   and his question, “How long will this people provoke me?”
 
Lord forgive, and preserve us from it in future.
 
 

Ah! Lord, with thee we ask, how long

Shall men thy patient Spirit grieve,

Thy power mistrust, thy goodness wrong,

Thy faithful promise disbelieve?

 
James Smith 1849