And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?
Exodus 15:24 (ESV)
The Israelites had just witnessed the ten plagues – most of which didn’t touch them. Not only had they left Egypt as victors, but they’d plundered the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36). Faced with a sea in front of them and an army of Egyptians behind them, they watched as the waters parted. Scriptures tell us they walked through the Red Sea on dry land – mind you, the Egyptian chariots that pursued them into the Red Sea got their wheels stuck in the wet ground. The Israelites had front-row seats to the destruction of their enemy.
Then they grumbled.
We read this passage and think, “What’s wrong with them?” Yet, as I read it, I realized we aren’t much different from the Israelites.
Have you heard The Grumblers song by Thoro Harris? “In country, town or city some people can be found, Who spend their lives grumbling at everything around. O yes, they always grumble, no matter what we say, For these are chronic grumblers and they grumble night and day. They grumble when it’s raining, they grumble when it’s dry, And if the crops are failing, they grumble and they sigh. They grumble at low prices, and grumble when they’re high, They grumble all the year ‘round and they grumble till they die.”
We grumble because life doesn’t match our expectations. When we grumble, we’re essentially saying, ‘God I don’t like what you’re doing in my life. I don’t like my current circumstances and don’t see a change coming anytime soon.’
My friend, grumbling doesn’t do a thing but build up resentment against the status quo. Are you disappointed? Take it to God. Are you frustrated? Take it to God. Are you at your wit’s end? Take it to God.
Sounds simplistic, doesn’t it? But if you look at Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Daniel, and Jesus himself, that’s precisely what they did when life got tough—they took it to God. When the Israelites grumbled, Moses took it straight to God. When Elijah was discouraged, he brought it to God. When Daniel’s life hung in the balance, he took it to God. When Jesus was weary, he sought a quiet place to pray.
Perhaps what we need most during difficult times is perspective. I’m not saying frustration is a sin, but how we respond to it is what counts. We can either grumble and complain, or we can take it to God and ask Him for a better perspective.
It’s amazing that God, despite all their grumbling, provided water in the wilderness. Not because the Israelites fixed their attitude but because God is a good and gracious Father. He brought them to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, leading them to a place of grace.
The wonder is that God does the same for us, over and over.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul.
Therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3: 22-24
Thought: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Abraham Lincoln