“Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the ears of the Lord”
This chapter reveals God’s opinion of ungratefulness…. After 400 years of slavery, God is miraculously
leading the Israelites out of Egypt, parting the Red Sea, and destroying Pharaoh’s
army in the process. God was feeding
them daily, leading them by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at
night… All this protection and provision and yet they were grumbling about the
menu. Even Moses was feeling sorry for himself, everybody was bellyaching, and God clearly reveals
that He is not impressed by, nor tolerant of their attitudes.
I too, am unimpressed with
these entitled drama queens and their “poor pitiful me” approach to every
problem… Their ungratefulness after daily miracles seems ridiculous. That is, until
I get downwind of myself and take a good look in the mirror. When that occurs, I recognize the
constant blessings in my life and realize that I, like the Israelites, spend limited time expressing gratitude in my
prayers.
What about you? What percentage of your prayers are thankful and filled
with praise, and what percentage are asking
for more and better? Do you spend as much time thanking God for what you have,
as you do pleading with Him for what you want?
This chapter instructs
us to appreciate God's provisions rather than complain about them. And if you read the second part of
verse one, you will see that that is much more than just a suggestion.
“…The Lord heard them, and His anger was kindled,
and the fire of the Lord burned among them and
consumed some at the outskirts of the camp.”
Maybe we should all have Numbers 11:1 as a memory verse. That might help
us remember that God doesn’t change, and since He didn’t like their grumbling
then – He probably doesn’t like our grumbling
now.
We are quick to receive blessings yet still whine and focus on problems, but
God does not tolerate complainers… ANYTIME we feel self-pity we need to step back
and compare what we have, to what we deserve.
Humbly asking your Father for grace and mercy is one thing… complaining
and feeling like we deserve better …is quite another.
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