GOODBYE
READ:
Numbers
11:1-10
When
the people complained,
it
displeased the LORD; for the
LORD
heard it, and His anger
was
aroused. –Numbers 11:1
When Max Lucado participated in a
half-Ironman triathlon, he experienced the negative power of complaint. He said, “After
the 1.2-mile swim and the 56-mile bike ride, I didn’t have much energy left for
the 13.1-mile run. Neither did the
fellow jogging next to me. He said, ‘This
stinks. This race is the dumbest
decision I’ve ever made.’ I said, ‘Goodbye.’” Max knew that if he listened too long, he
would start agreeing with him. So he said
goodbye and kept running.
Among the Israelites, too many people
listened too long to complaints and began to agree with them. This displeased God, and for good
reason. God had delivered the Israelites
from slavery, and agreed to live in their midst, but they still
complained. Beyond the hardship of the
desert, they were dissatisfied with God’s provision of manna. In their complaint, Israel forgot that the
manna was a gift to them from God’s loving hand (Numbers 11:6). Because complaining poisons the heart with
ingratitude and can be a contagion, God had to judge it.
This is a sure way to say “goodbye” to complaining and
ingratitude: Each day, let’s rehearse
the faithfulness and goodness of God to us.
Marvin Williams
Lord,
You have given us so much. Forgive us for
our short
memories
and bad attitudes. Help us to remember
and be
grateful
for all that You have provided. And help
us to tell
others
of the good things You have done for us.
***********************************************
Proclaiming
God’s faithfulness
Silences
discontentment.
INSIGHT
When
they faced difficulties, the Israelites often complained against Moses (See
Exodus 16:2; 17:3; Numbers 14:2; 16:41; 20:3).
Their first complaint was made just 3 days out of Egypt (Exodus 15:22-24). Paul warned us not to follow their critical
spirit (1 Corinthians 10:1-10), for they were sinning against the Lord (Exodus
16:8).
Have a blessed night.
God Our Creator’s Love Always
Unity & Peace
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