Self-Lust

Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. [Exodus 16.1-2]

30 days in, Israel was still complaining. No matter what they had witnessed to this point (and they had seen a lot), they were dissatisfied.

Even as harsh as their oppression had been in Egypt, it was becoming more obvious every day that Israel's discontent was found much closer than in Egypt!

The people of Israel complained about everything. As soon as they were a little uncomfortable, they complained. Regardless what miracles they had witnessed to date, at the first sign of inconvenience, they began to complain.

This pattern of complaint and discontent is repeated throughout Israel's wilderness journey.

But the problem wasn't Egypt - the problem wasn't Moses - the problem was Israel's insatiable self-lust.

Self-lust is never satisfied. Self-lust has no memory. Self-lust is always dissatisfied with where it is and blindly believes it will be better served elsewhere.

Self-lust gives no consideration of the importance of unity, camaraderie, goals, vision, direction, etc. Self-lust simply wants its "itch" "scratched" and scratched now!

Self-lust always pitted Israel against her leaders. Self-lust always caused strife and division.

Self-lust eventually cost the whole of Israel a painful and embarrassing 40-year detour in the wilderness. Everyone suffered.

We simply must comprehend that God is our everything. We simply must comprehend that we are part of a greater Body (the Body of Christ) and that our journey is not just about us. We simply must comprehend that self-lust will divide us from our leaders as well as our fellow companions.

We simply must realize that self-lust will never be satisfied. If we have self-lust, it goes with us wherever we go. No matter how satisfied it may be for the moment (Red Sea, water, quail, manna, etc...) it will ALWAYS reappear erasing our memories of all previous provisions or victories from God.

The key is to rid ourselves of self-lust. It starts in the mirror, not the window!

Father, forgive me for self-lust. Forgive me for only caring for my own comfort. Help me to think less of me and more of others... because I know that pleases You.