Grumbling Against the Lord

Isn't it normal to grumble sometimes? It's a part of our nature, right? Keep Reading...

PRAY
Dear Jesus, teach me to love You more as I read Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

READ
Exodus 16:8 - Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”

REFLECT
“It’s too hot… too cold. I’m hungry… this food isn’t great. Too much traffic… people are too slow.” Sound familiar? We all have our pet annoyances and common gripes. But that’s normal… just human nature, right?

Could you imagine walking through a desert getting sore, hungry and thirsty? Wouldn’t it be normal to get mad when good food wasn’t prepared for you? Didn’t the Israelites have a good excuse for their complaint?

But wait a minute. Hadn’t the Israelites seen the power and provision of God in the ten plagues, in the Red Sea parting and bitter water becoming sweet? God had proven his faithfulness over and over to them. But it wasn’t good enough.

It’s important to know that when we view life through the lens of complaint, God takes it personally. We might think our problem is with our food or spouse or government. But God says that our problem is with him. He has always provided for us. Why would he stop now?

APPLY
We all have many testimonies of God’s provision in our lives, if we would just stop and remember. Active thanksgiving is the only way to conquer complaint in our lives. So begin today.

• Thank God for today’s provision of food.
• Thank God for your family (each person by name).
• Thank God for your government (even the parties you don’t agree with).