Do Not Grumble as Some of Them Did

I’m currently following the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. Grumbling seemed to be one of the ongoing issues Moses had to deal with, because grumbling which began with a handful of people spread like a plague. Often it seemed that everyone, without exception, was grumbling. God reacted very strongly to the people’s grumbling, which was generally against Moses but, in reality, it was against the Lord (Exodus 16:8). In God’s eyes grumbling was rebellion, which carried severe consequences – many died prematurely in the desert and not one of the grumblers entered the land that God was giving to them.

It’s probably safe to say that, without exception, we’ve all been grumbled against and, similarly, we’ve all grumbled against others. One big problem with grumbling is that it’s often expressed in audible words which negatively affect the people who hear it. It begins as a small spark and spreads into a fire, corrupting the person who grumbles (James 3:5-6)

Grumbling is sin and all sin is against God and His holiness. That’s why He calls grumbling, murmuring, and complaining, rebellion. It deprived the Israelites of their inheritance and it will deprive us of what He longs for us to experience – an intimate Father Heart relationship with Himself.

Grumblers on the way to the Promised Land were unable to see things through God’s eyes and, consequently, they were unable to trust Him to keep His promise to protect them and lead them to the place prepared for them (Deuteronomy 1:32). ‘They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord’ (Psalm 106:25).

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for everyone who truly belongs to Him. We’re on our journey to the Promised Land, where we will spend eternity. The road we travel is sometimes rough and steep, with blockages on the way. On our road to heaven, we need to be saved from the sin of grumbling and all the negative thoughts and emotions attached to it. We’re called to see things from God’s perspective, to trust Him and to follow Him. The call of God to all His children is the call of uncompromised obedience with thanksgiving, whatever comes our way. Instead of the weakness of grumbling ‘The joy of the Lord will be our strength’.

Prayer: Father, You tell us that whatever’s written in Your word is written to teach us. Please forgive me for the times that I’ve grumbled against others or my circumstances, and consequently against You. I ask You to change my heart. Please speak to me by Your Spirit so that I see things from Your prospective, trust You and follow You wholeheartedly, whatever lies before me. I pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.