Our human nature has an amazing
ability to complain and focus on the negative – The children of
The Lord did amazing miracles,
demonstrating His power and causing Pharaoh and the Egyptians to release
“The Egyptians urged the people,
to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, ‘We shall all be
dead.’
Without a weapon or military
strategy…the strongest nation in the world yields…slaves given the wealth of
PHARAOH
CHANGES HIS MIND AGAIN
Exodus
14:10-12, “And as Pharaoh drew near, the sons of
Ready to return to slavery and
oppression…were trapped in mortal danger with Pharaoh behind them and the
There are times in our lives when we
have no way out and it is God ordained – A time to “Stand back
and see the salvation of the Lord”
The Lord parts the
Yet by the
end of the chapter they are grumbling again because of no water
for three days – Physical deprivation brings out the worst in us
The Lord tests us
when we are uncomfortable, and all too often we blame shift, grumble and become
resentful
God in His mercy provides water for
them (Exodus
“All discipline for the moment
seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it,
afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
– Hebrews 12:11
God
Hears Our Grumblings
The Israelites continually grumbled
accusing Moses and Aaron of bringing them out into the wilderness to die of
hunger
“Lord hears your grumblings
which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings
are not against us but against the Lord…Come near before the Lord, for He has
heard your grumblings…and behold the glory of the Lord appeared in the
cloud. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘I have heard the grumblings
of the sons of
Grumbling means discontent,
growling, rumbling inside – Not just what you say but a disposition of
heart that is basically self-serving
Every time the people encountered
danger, shortages, or uncertainty they complained bitterly, would rather die or
go back to slavery
Because of God’s great love and
mercy He doesn’t let us go back –He brought us out to bring us in…Relentless
Redeemer
Some people complain because God put
thorns on roses and others praise Him for putting roses among thorns
When we criticize and grumble, we
rarely blame ourselves – Anyone, even God becomes blameworthy in times of
trial
Jonah blamed God for His
lovingkindness - We blame and complain because someone or something has
not lived up to our expectations
Grumbling is as natural as breathing
but we can be changed by the Lord’s grace and love…He is always faithful
even in our struggles
“Why should any man, offer
complaint in view of his sins? Let us examine and probe our ways,
and let us return to the Lord.” Lam. 3:39
May we have the right focus…a
shift of perspective – “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” –
Philippians 2:14
The Lord is near. Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus…Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever
is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any
excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these
things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, (Paul) practice these things; and the God of
peace shall be with you.” – Philippians 4:4-9…God is good and
He’s good all the time!