A Strong Craving

A Strong Craving: Trusting God’s Provision

Numbers 11:4-6, 16-23

Overcoming ingratitude and trusting in God’s provision

Introduction

Begin with a personal story or an illustration about cravings (food cravings, material cravings, or life desires).

- Connect this to how Israel craved the past and doubted God’s provision.

Ingratitude leads us to long for something other than God’s provision, but God’s provision is always best.*

Complaining Reveals Our Heart

Israel’s Complaints (Numbers 11:4-6)

- The Israelites longed for Egypt, forgetting their bondage.

- They were not physically starving but spiritually discontent.

- Like them, we often focus on what we lack rather than what God has given.

The Danger of Complaining

- Complaining distorts reality—Egypt’s food was not “free”; it came with slavery.

- Complaints spread—negativity is contagious (Numbers 11:4).

- Complaining ultimately rejects God’s goodness (Numbers 11:20).

Application

- Where are we longing for “Egypt” in our lives?

- Do we compare our lives to others and lose gratitude?

-—

God’s Provision is Better

: God Provides Wisely (Numbers 11:16-18)

- God didn’t just give them meat; He provided leadership and guidance.

- He knows what we need more than we do.

- What we think will satisfy us often becomes loathsome (Numbers 11:20).

Trusting God’s Power (Numbers 11:21-23)

- Moses doubted, but God reminded him: *“Is the Lord’s hand shortened?”*

- We limit God when we focus on our resources instead of His power.

- God provides for our needs, not always our cravings.

Application:

- What is something you have been doubting God can provide?

- How can you shift from complaining to trusting?

Jesus is Our Ultimate Provision

The True Bread from Heaven (John 6:35)

- Just as God provided manna, He provided Jesus.

- Physical provision is temporary; spiritual provision is eternal.

Our Deepest Need is Met in Christ

- Our cravings reveal a deeper hunger for God.

- Salvation is our greatest need, and Jesus has provided it completely.

Philippians 3:8 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

How do i count everything as Loss?

1. Encountering the Glory of Christ

When we truly behold Christ—His beauty, majesty, love, and sacrifice—everything else fades in significance.

This happens through Scripture (2 Corinthians 3:18), prayer, and worship.

2. Recognizing the Temporary Nature of Earthly Things

Jesus asked, "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

Wealth, success, relationships, and status all fade, but Christ is eternal.

3. Suffering and Trials

Suffering strips away false securities and reveals what truly lasts.

Paul said, “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

4. Radical Obedience & Surrender

When we step out in faith and let go of things for Christ’s sake, we realize He is enough.

The rich young ruler couldn’t let go, but Paul did and called his past gains “rubbish” (Philippians 3:8).

5. Living for Eternity

Storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) shifts our focus from temporary to eternal.

As C.S. Lewis put it, "Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth ‘thrown in’; aim at Earth and you will get neither."

Ultimately, it’s not about despising the good gifts of life, but about treasuring the Giver above all. The more we know Him, the more the things of earth grow “strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Application

- What cravings are pulling you away from trusting God?

- How can you redirect your desires toward Christ this week?

Conclusion

- Recap: Complaining reveals our hearts, God’s provision is better, and Jesus is our ultimate satisfaction.

- Call to Action:

- Repent from ingratitude and complaining.

- Trust in God’s provision even when it doesn’t match expectations.

- Seek fulfillment in Christ alone.

- Close in prayer, asking for hearts of gratitude and faith.