Weren't that we had died in Egypt

These are the words of the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness and came up on the promise land.  They wouldn't return for many decades to come because their lack of trust in God's faithfulness and provisions.  The book of Numbers even reports them as saying, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt!  Or would that we had died in this wilderness!  Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?"

It isn't with judgement that I read over the actions of the Israelites, it is with sadness and empathy.  The saying hindsight is 20:20 is made overwhelmingly poignant in situations such as this.  Knowing that God would give the promise land over to the Israelites despite the seemingly overwhelming odds makes it easy for us to think poorly of them for not trusting in God.  But how often is this very theme displayed in our own life?  

God always keeps his promises, not matter what, and fortunately for us he doesn't always punish because he leaves room for repentance and grace.  God is a good father, his mercy and grace strike me to the core and fill me with awe in a way that nothing else in the world ever has, and like nothing I can imagine ever will.