Quit Griping!

Today’s Passages – Exodus 13 – 15

(Second Milers also read – Luke 2 – 3; Proverbs 24; Psalms 116 – 118)

Scripture Memory for January – Isaiah 53

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Watch “Growth Points 006″ Religion, Grace, and the Local Church” by Paul Chappell

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” – (Exodus 15:1)

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” – (Exodus 15:24)

Exodus 15 is an amazing chapter of Scripture, which demonstrates the fickle nature of God’s children. The first 21 verses, which comprises more that three-fourths of the chapter is the record of God’s people singing, dancing, and praising Him for the great miracle that He had done in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. Specifically, they are praising God and thanking Him for parting the Red Sea so that they could pass through on dry ground. You will remember, the Egyptians tried to follow them and that same sea closed up upon them and drowned them. The people of God were thrilled that God took away the water so that they could travel to other side. Now, at the end of the chapter, they are complaining that there is no water. First they want the water to go away, and then they want it back again. You just can’t make these Israelites happy, can you? I am kidding, of course; but I do want to point out the tendency that Israel had (and we have today) to forget about all of God’s past blessings by griping about some apparent injustice that seemed to be taking place in the present. Here, they begin to think that God delivered them from Egypt only to kill them with dehydration in the wilderness. Obsurd! That big God that they were worshipping in the beginning of the chapter all of sudden got smaller when the people got a little thirsty.

I find that we are no different today. We sometimes see God do wonderful things in our lives, and from that mountaintop we offer up to Him praise and worship. But then when God allows a little testing to come our way, our attitude changes completely. Our view of God seems to be based solely upon what He does for us. When we are getting popcorn, bubble gum, and ice cream, God is good; but when God says that we should eat a little brocholi because it’s what we need at the time, God becomes some mean ogre. We act like little children in the nursery, don’t we? Let’s grow up! Let’s mature in our faith to the point where we trust God completely. God is good when the circumstances in life are great; but God is also good when things are not going as we would like them to. God is always good. He loves us. He says He will never leave us; never forsake us. He has our very best interests at heart. Trust Him even when you don’t understand; and whatever you do, don’t gripe. Griping is perhaps the most predominant cause of death in the Old Testament. I am not saying that you should not bring your concerns and burdens to Him. There is a big difference between a prayer request and a complaint. Let’s get to the point in our Christian walk where we can praise Him even in the dark days. Remember, there are others out there that have it worse than you. God is not just good, He is awesome. Learn to wait on Him. He will deliver you if you will simply trust Him, obey, and be patient.

Look, we are all really good at spotting problems, but instead of murmering, why don’t we try becoming part of a solution. We can pray, and we can work to make the situation better. Anybody can complain, and they often do; but it takes a person of true character to actually make a difference.

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” – (Philippians 2:14)


Posted in Thoughts from Exodus by with 3 comments.
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Cindy
Cindy
12 years ago

I have to say that I have been known to complain and murmur about things like many other people have as well, but over time I try to catch myself before I do. Ya know, For the Christians out there, ( and I mean, those who are saved), we really don’t have anything to complain about. I look at Melissa Dilley who has cancer among other things and I say to myself, ya I have aches and pains and oh, my day isn’t going like I expected, or did you hear what she said about me? When I think back to her, I say. ” I have NO right to complain. Heres a good one. Christ on the cross ….Did He complain? No, but He went and died for us to have so that we could have a mansion in Heaven. So the next time me or anyone starts to complain and murmur maybe we should think of why God put us here in the first place.. To glorify him. Lord, please forgive me for the wrong things that come out of my mouth.

Gary Geiger
Gary Geiger
12 years ago

I’m right there with ya Cindy; AMEN!!!

Lisa Boone
Lisa Boone
12 years ago

Amen Cindy. Thank Pastor Phil for this message is much needed for me. What’s interesting I read another devotional on the same topic on the same day. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!

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