GOODBYE

GOODBYE

READ:

Numbers 11:1-10

When the people complained,

it displeased the LORD; for the

LORD heard it, and His anger

was aroused. –Numbers 11:1

When Max Lucado participated in a half-Ironman triathlon, he experienced the negative power of complaint.  He said, “After the 1.2-mile swim and the 56-mile bike ride, I didn’t have much energy left for the 13.1-mile run.  Neither did the fellow jogging next to me.  He said, ‘This stinks.  This race is the dumbest decision I’ve ever made.’ I said, ‘Goodbye.’”  Max knew that if he listened too long, he would start agreeing with him.  So he said goodbye and kept running.

Among the Israelites, too many people listened too long to complaints and began to agree with them.  This displeased God, and for good reason.  God had delivered the Israelites from slavery, and agreed to live in their midst, but they still complained.  Beyond the hardship of the desert, they were dissatisfied with God’s provision of manna.  In their complaint, Israel forgot that the manna was a gift to them from God’s loving hand (Numbers 11:6).  Because complaining poisons the heart with ingratitude and can be a contagion, God had to judge it.

This is a sure way to say “goodbye” to complaining and ingratitude:  Each day, let’s rehearse the faithfulness and goodness of God to us.  Marvin Williams

Lord, You have given us so much.  Forgive us for our short

memories and bad attitudes.  Help us to remember and be

grateful for all that You have provided.  And help us to tell

others of the good things You have done for us.

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Proclaiming God’s faithfulness

Silences discontentment.

INSIGHT

When they faced difficulties, the Israelites often complained against Moses (See Exodus 16:2; 17:3; Numbers 14:2; 16:41; 20:3).  Their first complaint was made just 3 days out of Egypt (Exodus 15:22-24).  Paul warned us not to follow their critical spirit (1 Corinthians 10:1-10), for they were sinning against the Lord (Exodus 16:8).

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace