There is much we can learn from the folks we read about in Scripture.
In Exodus 16, we find the Israelites now two months out from their second miraculous save. They have come through the Red Sea, God has taken care of their enemies who were pursuing them. And now, they are again grumbling, complaining.
The account brings the reminder of the way complaining grows. It doesn’t stay with one person. In our humanness, we find ourselves with a need to vent our complaints, and it is contagious.
“The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.” (Exodus 16:2, NASB)
Moses brings their complaint to God for he realizes his role as mediator is to bring instruction to the people. It is not in his authority to determine what will occur. That is in the hands of God alone.
God responds to the complaint through the provision of manna, which comes daily. It simply appears each morning except for one day – on the Sabbath. They must gather enough on the 6th day for both days.
We are no different then they were, for we, too, complain. Their experience teaches us that God alone is sufficient for our needs each day.
- “My grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NASB)
- “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1, NASB)
- “The faithful love of the Lord never ends His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”(Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)
- “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NASB)
Difficulties will reveal what we are made of. We can grow in our trust and faith in God, or succumb to complaining. Our attitude as we face daily challenges will determine what sort of people we become.
The Israelites found themselves tested in the very things they needed everyday – food and water. God will often test us as well in the everyday normal sequences of life.
It can be cranky children, unreasonable coworkers, backed up toilets, or even burnt toast. How will we respond in those moments?
It’s the small and mundane things in our days can trip us up.
May we remember God’s sufficiency to meet every need,
and our hearts be filled with trust in Him.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Sarah Kilian on Unsplash
Such powerful words, Joanne! And, such a needed reminder in today’s world! We’ve all been struggling with the events of the past week and doing all we can to process it all. Your words remind us that God is bigger than anything we face. Our challenge is to grow in trust and faith in Him and to take action and live in love and light!
It’s true—the little things trip me up much more than the big things. I’m not sure why that is. If God is sufficient for the big things, He can certainly take care of the everyday ones, too. May He give me grace to trust Him rather than complain.
Joanne, thank you for waking me up with that beautiful song of praise! It’ll stay with me all day.
Happy Wednesday to you, friend.
We are studying this in Bible study, so timely!!
Those little things are such devious trippers! A barky puppy, littles dropping Legos or army men and retrieving them from the jaws of a determined puppy, careless drivers crossing the line, spilled salt, unfound items that need finding – and when I ask God into these little fox kind of things trying to destroy my vine with the simple prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner” – He comes in and brings order to my scattered self. Thank you for reminding me, Joanne! Sweet encouragement on my Wednesday – for some reason, the most challenging day!
Amen, Joanne. Difficulties reveal what is stored in our hearts. I have been trying to filter my thoughts on any given circumstance through Philippians 4:8, if they are not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, full of goodness and gratitude, virtue and praise, then they must be dismissed. Easier said than done, but it does give me a moment of pause before I launch headlong into a litany of discontent.
I roll so much better through the true crisis than I do in my response to the little annoyances. God is faithful, and I have to take myself by the scruff of the neck sometimes and remind myself of the truth “even in this.”
It is easy to grumble over irritations I find could have been avoided with some thought! Viewing them as sandpaper to smooth out my rough spots helps.
“Our attitude as we face daily challenges will determine what sort of people we become.” Amen!
And God doesn’t like it when we complain.
And, for me, it is often the little things that tempt me to vent!
Amen! Yes, it’s in the everyday often when no one but the Lord is looking that we are tested Joanne. May we always be mindful to trust the Lord in whatever & in any circumstance we may find ourselves in, being thankful that He is there in them with us.
Blessings to you sweet friend, Jennifer
Amen! Yes, it’s in the everyday often when no one but the Lord is looking that we are tested Joanne. May we always be mindful to trust the Lord in whatever & in any circumstance we may find ourselves in, being thankful that He is there in them with us.
Blessings to you sweet friend, Jennifer
I’m thankful He gives us abounding grace for each daily challenge, Joanne.