Are you reading the Bible through with me? Grab your pen and journal, and get ready to write your thoughts as you journey through the Bible.
Today read Numbers 10-12. This passage is where we see the grumbling pattern of the Israelites begin (Numbers 11). The old saying “Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it,” couldn’t be truer than in the case of the Israelites.
They were hungry and complained, so God sent manna. According to the scriptures, manna resembled coriander seeds. The people would collect it and grind it down to make flour for bread. Problem solved? No. They grew bored with it. They wanted meat.
So God then promised to provide quail for them, so much for 30 days that they would grow sick of it. And they sure did grow heartily sick of it!
In their resentment of the manna and their expressed desire for the food of Egypt, they were rejecting the things of God and craving things from the culture that had enslaved them. God's response to their complaining was to bring judgment against them. A plague was sent that killed many of the people.
One of the things we learn from Numbers 11-12 is that God will deal decisively with chronic complainers. Chronic complainers do not have a grateful heart. They whine, whine, whine. They are never satisfied. They see problems rather than opportunities, personal need/preference rather than blessings from God. Murmuring, grumbling and complaining portray an attitude that displeases God. God always blesses obedience and gratitude. But He always judges complaining that stems from a lust for things that dishonor Him. See also I Corinthians 10:1-10.
In your journal, make two columns. Above one column, write “Complaints”. Above the other column, write “Blessings”. Begin listing everything you want to complain about, and all the blessings you have received. Ask God for forgiveness for the complaints you have listed in that column, and thank God for the blessings in your other column. You will certainly see that your “Blessing” column will greatly outnumber your “Complaint” column.
Pray: El Hanne’eman, my faithful God, forgive me for those times that I’ve grumbled, whined, or complained rather than simply trusting You. I know that You are faithful. You are sovereign over the universe and everything I can see, hear, feel, taste, or smell. You know my every need even before I know it. Lord, I pray as a desperate man prayed – “I believe. Help my unbelief,” (Mark 9:24). I cannot be as strong as I need to be, as faithful as I want to be, or even believe as I should apart from You! Strengthen my faith today so that my life might glorify You.
