May 5, 2001

"And the people spake against God, and against Moses. Wherefore have ye
brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no
bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light
bread." Numbers 21:5

The selfish things we do and think of for ourselves has been playing
heavy on my heart this week. Here is yet another passage of Scripture
that pertains to Christians today.

Here we read the last murmuring of the children of Israel. They are
murmuring again about the manna. You will recall that the mixed
multitude were the ones who had led them in rejecting the manna earlier
in the march (Numbers 11). Manna was a wonderful food, by the way. God
reminds them in the book of Deuteronomy that their feet did not swell.
It was told by a missionary doctor in the Philippines that the foot will
swell and beriberi results from a diet deficiency. So they were getting
all the correct nutrition in the manna, and it was a very tasty sort of
food. Yet they complained.

Today there are people who will complain about steak ~ they would rather
have a hamburger for variety! It's amazing how easy it is for us to
complain, and especially to complain about that which pertains to the
things of God. People even complain about the pews in churches. Yet
they'll go to a football or basketball game and sit on those hard
benches (without backs) for hours and never once complain! There are so
many other silly complaints within us. Isn't it interesting how we whine
and complain to God? Think about some of yours ~ then don't forget to
thank God you are able to complain! Then ask yourself, "How many times
have I thanked Him and rejoiced in His goodness to me?"

I think, frankly, that the Lord is getting just a little tired of all
the Israelite children's murmuring here. They say that their soul hates
this manna. They don't want it. They charge God with bringing them into
this wilderness to die. The Lord is tired of all their complaining and
He will judge them for it. Think now about all of your murmurings ~ you
will be judged also! Don't you feel it's much better to be thankful for
what we do have? Now, let us rejoice in the Lord for our many blessings!

God Bless you as you look around yourself today and find something to
rejoice in!

<J><E><S><U><S>< <S><A><V><E><S><