Trust God’s Will and Care 

Yet how quickly they (people of Israel) forgot what He (God) had done (God’s works and mercy)! They wouldn’t wait for His counsel (advice, plans)! In the wilderness their desires (cravings, greed, or lusts) ran wild, testing (tempting) God’s patience in that dry wasteland. So He (God) gave them what they (people of Israel) asked for, but He sent a plague (wasting disease, leanness into their souls, or empty heart) along with it. Psalm 106:13-15 (NLT).

In the desert, Israel became discontented and inpatient with God’s provisions (e.g., see Exodus 15:24; Exodus 16:2-3; Exodus 17:1-3; Numbers 14:26-45; Numbers 21:4-9).  God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage and pain, but they soon forgot His mercy and ignored His advice.  The psalm writer recalls numerous times when Israel disobeyed the Lord after He delivered them from Egypt (Psalm 106:7–46). God gave the people manna (heavenly bread), and they lusted for meat. Even more, the people of Israel criticized their leaders and worshiped a golden idol.  The people of Israel did not trust God nor wait for God to work according to His will and plan.  Instead, the people only cared about pleasing themselves (self-gratification) and angered God with their insistent demands. The people did not want God’s best for them, and they refused to trust God's care and provision. Even though God had been faithful to Israel (Psalm 105), Israel was often unfaithful and disobedient toward God. So, God gave the people exactly what they asked for, but along with their request came leanness into their soul, i.e., dissatisfaction, bitterness and an empty heart (see Exodus 32:35; Numbers 11). After eating of the quails (meat) for a full month, the food became “loathsome” to them (Numbers 11:20). 

Psalm 106 teaches that when people make demands on God that are not in harmony with His will nor plan, He may grant their demands or requests to their sorrow, and send “leanness into their souls or an empty heart.” Let us all trust in God’s care, timing, and provision for our lives.  Even more, let us trust God’s perfect will. God knows what is best for us and in our best interest.  Like Jesus, be patient, trust and do God’s will first (see Matthew 26:36-46).  God always provides our needs if we only trust Him first!