It’s always better to wait for God. Israel had followed God and His servant, Moses, for two years. They had seen God part the Red Sea, destroy their enemies, provide drinking water from rocks in the desert, and give them bread from Heaven. Then some of the people spoiled it for everyone else. The Egyptians who left Egypt with Israel started complaining about the food, and everybody joined them. The people said, “Who shall give us flesh to eat? There is nothing at all, beside this manna.” They had everything they needed, but they weren’t satisfied.

God heard their complaints and gave them what they wanted: A strong wind blew millions of quails into Israel’s camp from the sea. There were so many birds they were stacked up in piles three feet high, the distance of a full day’s journey (several miles) all around the campsite. This was enough to feed the group of over one million people for an entire month. Without even a word of thanks, they stuffed their faces like starving animals. In the middle of their feast, God killed many of the people because they couldn’t trust Him enough to wait for His provision.

If we cry, pout, and complain long enough, God may give us the desire of our hearts, but with it, He may send emptiness into our souls, so we still aren’t happy. Nothing beats waiting for Him to provide in His way and timing because with His blessing comes lasting satisfaction.

When you are waiting for God to provide it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the desire of your heart. He may even want you to have it — for dessert. So, whether you desire a mate, a child, a home, a car, a job, or recovery from an illness, trust Him to provide it in His timing. When you receive it, I know you’ll be glad you waited for it.