Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Psalms

Psalms 
Day 
Day 137

Psalm 78:40a "How often they provoked Him in the wilderness..."

Day 137 – Psalm 78

“How often they provoked Him in the wilderness…” Psalm 78:40a

HOW MUCH PROVOCATION CAN A PERSON TAKE?

Israel certainly provoked God many times. These acts of provocation irked Moses greatly. He found that the constant griping of the children of Israel irritated him severely. He was so unhappy that he said these words to the Lord:

“Why have You afflicted Your servant?
And why have I not found favour in Your sight,
that You have laid the burden of all these people on me?

If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now-
if I have found favour in Your sight- and do not let me
see my wretchedness!”
Numbers 11:11, 15

Moses found it hard to stand the very people he led out of Egypt. He thought of himself as being most wretched. He felt that the leading of a constantly complaining people as an affliction.

HOW COULD GOD STAND IT?

The psalmist Asaph wondered how God could stand the rebellious children of God.

“How often they provoked Him in the wilderness,
And grieved Him in the desert!”
Psalm 78:40

1. Provocation

a) The key word here is “often”.
b) Provocation is:-
i) Irritation
ii) Agitation
c) All their provocation was uncalled for.

2. Grief

a) God was grieved.
b) His heart was more sad than angry.

3. Lessons from the wilderness experience

The generation of Moses had shown itself to be a stubborn and stiff-necked generation. The future generations must guard themselves against having a similar heart and spirit. These lessons that Asaph sought to teach must be well learned!