Quest for Quails

“The wicked…say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways… What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?  And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?” (Job 21:7-15).  “The people asked, and He brought quails, and SATISFIED them with the BREAD of heaven” (Psalm 105:40).   

We see this world’s vain desire

For God Almighty to depart.

Their lust is like a raging fire

That never satisfies their heart.

The wicked have burning quest  

For things this world will applaud.

They see no reason to invest

Their time on earth to pray to God.

We recognize this attitude

Recorded in the desert land

When Israel’s mixed multitude

Rebelled against God’s gracious hand.

God gave them manna from above;

They cried for earthly meat instead,  

Though God had fed them in His love

And satisfied them with His bread.

The Lord then gave them their request;

They soon were sickened by the quails.

God satisfies with heaven’s best,

But every earthly longing fails.

And shall we not receive instruction

By fleshly quails in that time,

And thus forsake this earth’s seduction

That robs our souls of bread sublime?

O Lord, we see the vain distraction

Of this world on display

That promises our satisfaction

With things that soon must pass away. 

Deliver, Lord, our hearts with grace

From every longing found within

Resembling quails we embrace

That subtly lead us into sin.

Lord, turn our hearts instead to You,

For You alone can satisfy!

We know Your promises are true,

So why should we embrace lie?