Though He Had....

Because they had believed not in God, and trusted not in His salvation: Though He had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of Heaven. -Psalm 78:22-23

These two verses pierced my heart this morning......not just because of what they reveal about Israel, but because of what they expose about us, and about the God who loves us with a faithfulness we so often betray.

God had rescued Israel from Egypt, walked them through the Red Sea, rained bread from heaven, and gave them water from a rock. He covered them by day with a cloud and warmed them by night with fire. 

He was visibly with them! 

Providing. 

Protecting. 

Guiding.

And yet.....they did not believe.

I'm sorry..... but that just breaks my heart.  Can you imagine what that did to God's heart?! 

They doubted His goodness. They questioned His provision. They tested His patience.

It wasn’t ignorance.

It wasn’t that they didn’t know about God.

They just didn’t trust Him.

This is the painful truth of verse 22. It is a tragic indictment, not just of Israel, but of the human heart.  

Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven.

Even though He gave them everything.
Even though He poured out miracle after miracle.
Even though He stooped from heaven to meet their needs.
Even though His power was undeniable and His love unrelenting…

They still did not believe.

Let that settle in!  

OUCH!

This isn’t just ancient history. 

It’s us. 

Every time we question His goodness in the face of trouble. Every time we demand a sign, a feeling, a guarantee.....after all He's already done for us.

God’s heartbreak is not in the rebellion alone..... it’s in the rejection of love. 

The “even though” in verse 23 is the cry of a God who has done everything, and still, His people turn away.

Can you imagine the pain of loving someone so deeply, providing for them so fully, only to have them doubt your heart?

God feels that pain!

Psalm 78 reveals not only the failures of man but the suffering of a holy God who loves people that refuse to love Him back.

But look at this.....

He didn’t stop providing.

He STILL gave them manna.
He STILL led them.
He STILL sent prophets.
He STILL offered forgiveness.

Even after all the “even thoughs”....... 

God keeps loving. (SEE HIS MOTIVATION IN V.38 and 39) <~~~You do NOT want to overlook that!

When I read Psalm 78, I don’t just see Israel.....I see myself.
I see the times I’ve questioned Him after He’s already proven His care.
I see the moments I’ve withheld trust when He’s never withheld love.

And it grieves my heart for Him.

How it must feel when we, like Israel, live as if His goodness isn’t enough?

This chapter isn't to condemn.... it's a gentle reminder....

• To remember what He’s done.

• To trust Him deeply.

• To turn from disbelief and rest in His faithfulness.

Let the “even though” of verse 23 stir repentance in us!

Let it soften our hearts.

Let it move us to gratitude and humility.

Because He deserves better than disbelief!

My dear friend, maybe you’re feeling the weight of these verses like I did. Maybe you see your own moments of forgetfulness and mistrust. Maybe your heart aches because you know God has “opened the doors of heaven” for you too but still, you’ve doubted.

If you don’t know what to say in prayer, that’s okay!

You can borrow these words. They don’t have to be original to be meaningful. If this prayer echoes what’s in your heart, speak it out loud! God isn’t impressed by fancy words....He’s moved by honesty, humility, and surrender.

You can also use this prayer as a pattern, just like Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer (not to recite without feeling, but to guide our hearts in expressing love and repentance).

Lord, forgive me for every moment I’ve doubted you, even though you’ve proven yourself over and over. I’m sorry for taking your grace for granted. Thank you for not giving up on me! Thank you for opening the doors of heaven for me...again and again!  Thank you for your grace and longsuffering! Help me to remember, to believe, and to walk faithfully. Open my eyes to your hand and presence in my life.  Open my heart to receive what you are trying to show me. In the sweet matchless name of Jesus..... Amen.