Psalm 78 is a review of the history of the Israelites. The writer describes the recurring cycle of rebellion against God, disaster, and repentance. The purpose is to encourage the current generation to follow God fully and absolutely. In the middle of the Psalm is a passage that could have come from the Blood Type Diet Forum!

In Psalm 78:17 - 31, the writer is telling the story of Israel's wandering in the wilderness, how God provided water for them and then miraculously provided food. Here are a few of the verses.

"They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved…When the Lord heard them, he was very angry…for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. He rained down manna for the people to eat; he gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat...He rained meat down on them…They ate till they had more than enough, for he had given them what they craved. But before they turned from the food they craved, even while it was still in their mouths, God's anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them."

The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt. God miraculously freed them and was leading them back to their homeland. He was daily taking care of their needs, including sending manna every morning. But they craved the food they used to eat.

Do you see the parallel?

Each of us found the BTD because of some problem we were having. For me it was indigestion. For some of you it was fatigue, allergies, obesity, etc. We now have a list of foods that will give us health. It's a list with lots of flavor and lots of variety. We start the diet, we feel better, then what do we do? We crave the food we used to eat!!!

We complain. We want bread, cookies, gravy, chicken fried steak, potatoes, donuts, cheese, pie. How many times do I read on this website things like, "I couldn't resist," "I had to have." "What's wrong with…?" "Would it really hurt if…?"

The Bible says that God gave the Israelites the food they wanted, then a plague broke out against them. Again I see a parallel. The food you and I crave is available all around us - at the grocery store, in restaurants, at parties, perhaps even in your own kitchen! I can abandon the BTD anytime I want to, but often while the food is still in my digestive system, I feel the results.

I am reminded this morning to be thankful that God has provided such an abundant list of foods that build health for me. I am also warned that to crave food that I used to eat will lead to nothing but pain and disappointment.