While reading my Bible this morning, I got stuck on a familiar passage that I could not get out of my mind. Here it is: “Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them . . .” (1 Corinthians 10:5) These people witnessed and experienced amazing miracles. They saw the “cloud by day and the fire by Night.” God made the Red Sea open to let them pass on “dry ground,” then he closed it on the Egyptians. God sent bread from heaven and water from a rock in the middle of the desert. He graciously provided for their every need, even sent a cloud to give them shade in the day time, so they would not get too tan. God gave provision and protection but was not pleased with them. Most today seem to interpret miracles of provision and protection as signs that all is right with God. Even though God provided, he was not pleased. Even though the people experienced the supernatural, God was not pleased. Why? Probably had something to do with attitude, obedience, or faith. Let’s not make the same mistake that the Israelites and revivalists throughout history have often made when they assume that supernatural experience or provision is a sign of God’s pleasure.
Here are a few more of Jonathan’s recent paintings.