Rumbling and Grumbling

“You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” Exodus 16:8

 

In just a few weeks time, the plagues had fallen, the sea parted, Pharaoh’s army been defeated, and sour water turned sweet, yet as soon as tummies started to rumble, God’s people started to grumble.  “We were better off as slaves!  At least in Egypt we had supper—and plenty of it!  Now we’re going to die in the desert!”(Ex 16:2-3).  

Really?  Did they really think God had split the sea just to see them starve?  Did they truly believe the Power who pounded Pharaoh couldn’t provide lunch?  Did God’s miracles of yesterday count for nothing today?  Did His faithfulness in the past not give promise for the future?

Obviously not, but we shouldn’t seem so surprised, for if we listened to ourselves, we often sound the same.  During the days of our lives, even through hardship, heartache, or horror, God has been present and purposeful.  He has given us strength for the moment and hope for tomorrow.  He has clothed us, fed us, called us, kept us, surrounded us, supported us, blessed us, and befriended us.  And still, as soon as an account gets empty, an expectation turns to disappointment, or a circumstance becomes uncomfortable, the complaining commences.  

We moan. We groan.  We mutter and murmur.  “What?  Why?  This makes no sense, and I’m not going to make it!”  We wouldn’t call it griping against God, but we should because that’s what it is.  We want someone to blame when we’re sad or life goes bad, and since God’s in charge, we hold Him accountable.  But this only shows us up and not God because our grumbling grows out of a lack of focus or lack of trust.  When we stop seeing and seeking God’s glory in all situations or we stop believing that He will protect and provide according to His perfect will, we tend to be discontent.

We need to remember that we are never promised health and wealth on earth, and it often seems that God works through money and medical issues to test us and teach us.  So the next time you are stressed or distressed in those areas and others, don’t start to grumble; begin to pray.  

God knows what we want.  He will give us what you need.  He can be trusted today; He can be trusted tomorrow.  We might not understand all that comes or doesn’t come our way, but we can be certain that God is working for His purpose and He will keep His promise of provision.  

Grumbling does no good and only obscures our view of God, so when times get tough, shut your mouth, open your eyes, and trust with all your heart.