Anyone particularly love it when your kids whine and complain?
Didn't think so.
Ear plugs anyone?
Just in case you HAVEN'T gotten a daily dose of grumbling today all you need to do is take a quick perusal of Exodus 14, 15, 16, 17..... you get the point.
In Exodus 14 the Israelites grumbled at the edge of the sea. God delivered.
LITERALLY just days later in Chapter 15 they are grumbling again about bitter water. God provided and God delivered: to an oasis.
Then in Chapter 16? You got it.
HANGRY! Well, scripture calls it grumbling. Again, God delivered. And delivered. And delivered. You get that point too.
Chapter 17? Got it again. More grumbling. And merciful heaven! God shows up and God provides!
Why does he keep doing that? Check out 14:4, 15:25-26, and 16:4. The gist of it is: FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. These were his people and ultimately, while He loved and cared for them, He did this to "reveal who He is", to "gain glory", and so they would know HE is the LORD.
I hope my tone isn't sounding irreverent. When I read through this I was struck by how personal this got. To Me. I've been the Grumbler. Just ask my husband. Ask my coworkers. Ask my friends.
At first the people are grumbling against Moses and Aaron. But Moses and Aaron repeatedly point out to God's people, "Hey, your beef isn't with us, it's with God." (My paraphrase)
We may coat our grumbling so that it appears to be about people or authority in our lives. That is not to say it's appropriate either, but we somehow feel better or more "spiritual" about this. In all reality it is very often against God himself we are complaining.
Who do I think I am? There's no humility in grumbling.
I've seen God work in the past. Perhaps I'm in a season of waiting or wanting or even need. How am I, how are we, going to posture ourselves in this waiting, this wanting? How will we posture ourselves before the deliverance or the provision arrives? As grumblers or humblers? With entitlement or thanksgiving? In pride or penitence?
God is patient beyond my comprehension. God is generous, oh so generous. He is also holy and just. I am.... well, I'm me, not God. And I'm praying He'll equip me to be a better "humbler" and less of a "grumbler".
Questions to Ponder:
1. When have you been more of a grumbler instead of a humbler?
2. What is a practical step you can take on one particular issue to be more of a humbler?
3. Let's pray for God to work a humble spirit within us to crowd out and leave no room for that grumbling granny inside of us.
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