I laughed yesterday as I read Facebook comments written by a close friend and his wife. She updated her profile to read, “I am grumpy for no good reason.” Beneath it, alluding to Facebook’s “like” button, my friend wrote: “They need an ‘unlike button’ for these types of things.
Although the above exchange is humorous, Israel’s grumpy behavior in Numbers 14 was not funny in the eyes of God. As they whined and complained out of fear over false reports (Numbers 13:31-33), the Lord’s anger meter was rising. As the people were weeping, crying, and protesting, He was fuming (14:2,10-11; Deuteronomy 9:7). God was angry for at least two reasons:
• Lack of faith in Him. The Israelites showed no faith in their God who had miraculously led them out of bondage in Egypt. They showed no trust by grumbling greatly (James 5:9). It got so bad that God was ready to annihilate them (Numbers 14:12).
• Lack of liking His provision. God’s plans and provision should be received with joy and humility. The people, just like us at times, were rebellious and full of resentment instead of contentment (Numbers 11:6,21:5).
Fortunately, a fab four—Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb—revealed true trust in God and acceptance of where He was leading. These men showed the people, and us, what to do when we’ve caught a case of the grumpies: They bowed before God in repentance— seeking forgiveness (Numbers 14:5-6). They acknowledged His great love and His forgiving heart (Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18-19).
When we grumble and complain, we’re rebelling against God and choosing selfishness over His abundant provision. Let’s repent and follow Him with grateful hearts instead.
More:
Do everything without complaining (Philippians 2:14).
Next:
What have you been grumbling about lately? How would God have you change your tune?
Chileshe on February 9, 2010 at 4:48 am
Thank you for this timely reminder! Many a time I have found myself in the situation James 5:9 speaks of, complaining and speaking ill of others around me instead of talking to them to resolve things between us. The word of God has helped me make major strides against gossip and unnecessary complaint. A friend of ours, after a captivating tirade with my wife about the goings on at our church, suddenly came to the realization that I hardly engage myself in such discussions. She asked how come. My honest answer was, although I do notice most of the things they were talking about, I never allow them to steer me away from the bigger picture: I go to church to seek God and the wisdom, understanding and knowledge my search brings me. Keeping up appearances and scrutinizing personalities only clouds that. Besides, more often than not, the good Lord who sees all things will deal with us accordingly. Grumbling and complaining about things would only lead us to sin. I pray and trust in the Lord each day to help direct my thoughts, words and deeds to avoid me sinning, to help me lend more time to listen and avoid rushed responses. I am still a work-in-progress but I believe God is moving me in the right direction. I agree: No grumbling allowed!
tom felten on February 9, 2010 at 10:01 am
Chileshe, great perspective. If we all would go to church with the focus you describe—to worship God and grow in our knowledge of Him—the unity and love of God would be blazing! You’re right, we’re all works in progress. How good it is when we live grace-filled lives that lovingly lift each person toward Jesus.
lindellj on February 9, 2010 at 8:08 am
This is a GREAT! reminder of being thankful for the life you possess. Though at times we experience sadness and frustration because of the things we see, hear and feel, it is comforting to know that the battle is not yours it’s GODS! and all we have to do is believe and know that he will suppy all our needs.
tom felten on February 9, 2010 at 10:02 am
lindellj, God is sovereign! How often we forget this vital fact. He IS in control and we can rest in His provision and power.
M Eaglin on February 9, 2010 at 8:16 am
As we are thankful, grateful, and appreciative to God for the coutnless blessings (and keep in mind that One who is so perfect and holy chose us) our grumpy attitude will be one of joy!
Praise the Lord for being so awesome and allowing us breath once again, help there to be NO complaints from me Lord, just a grateful & pleasant response to ALL things, situations, and people!
bethanyF on February 9, 2010 at 9:04 am
Amen!
tom felten on February 9, 2010 at 10:03 am
M Eaglin, as Paul instructed, we should “rejoice always.” It makes such a difference to live out of a heart of gratitude!
fieldlily on February 9, 2010 at 8:26 am
This was a great reminder that when I take my eyes off the LORD and put them on my self and my feelings and my attitudes and my, my, my, my it shows others that my heart is all about me instead of all about GOD. It shows that I am more focused on having things my way and condemning others for their bad attitudes and actions, not realizing that mine are no better. I feel as if I have awakened from a bad dream and I was the star with my rantings about what was going on around me.
Thank you for timely words that I know the LORD has used to wake me up. Yours is the second one today, on this subject, that I have read.
I praise GOD that He hasn’t given up on me and continues to show His love for me by showing me what needs changing in my life.
Thanks again.
Fieldlily
tom felten on February 9, 2010 at 10:06 am
Thanks, Fieldlilly. You nailed it. So often we have a severe “I” problem that can only be fixed with turning our vision to Jesus. I’m with you—so thankful, that God doesn’t give up on us. But He pursues us and keeps us from sinking into selfishness and self-absorption. Praise Him!
bethanyF on February 9, 2010 at 9:04 am
I want to thank God today for everything He has done.
tom felten on February 9, 2010 at 10:07 am
Yes, thank you Jesus!
Astrid67 on February 9, 2010 at 9:18 am
Wow! God has spoken to me through the same scripture (Numbers 14) twice today! I think He wants to tell me something….as I am in a very grumpy state at the moment….THANK YOU LORD!
tom felten on February 9, 2010 at 10:09 am
Astrid67, I’ve been there. I will be praying for you and others in the ODJ community who are experiencing grumpiness. May God give us all a view of the abundant love and blessings He has poured out on us. He is so good!
riri on February 9, 2010 at 10:40 am
Wow! What a true reminder and a wake up call. Yeah, sometimes we might not like the provisions that God has provided, but only He knows the perfect plan He has for us. I know that I am definitely guilty of this, but as I grow in Christ, I find that I grumble less, but I still grumble.
tom felten on February 9, 2010 at 11:50 am
riri, good point! If we would only rest in good plans of God (Jeremiah 29:11), we’d grumble less and worship more!
jjw2855 on February 9, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Thank you for today’s devotion. It is a timely reminder for me. Lately, I have been frustrated and grumpy about things. Scared of the storm clouds that has been surrounding me and my family, I have been doubting instead of putting my faith in God. Like Peter, I had taken my eyes off the Lord and was looking at the heavy waves bellowing at me. I need to keep “looking at Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. I need to learn to put my trust in Lord all the times.
Lord Jesus, increase my faith in you. jjw2855 🙂
rakesh.c on February 9, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Tom,
Thank you for the timely reminder.
I am guilty of being pessimistic about certain people and situations in my life. It’s important for me to know that God is unhappy when I grumble or complain. Besides, it just shows that I lack faith in Him and am ungrateful for the provisions He has given me.
I am reminded of the phrase, ‘Man gets and forgets; God gives and forgives’.
It’s wise to learn from the Israelites to not test God’s patience.
He may be slow to anger, but He does get angry! The more I grumble and complain, the more I test Him.
I need to learn to trust Him and be grateful for the provisions He has supplied.
God Bless.
sherlynn on March 12, 2010 at 8:19 am
I, too am learning to Trust God more instead of grumbling. Recently I was let go from an externship site after only 3 days because they didn’t want to train me. I took this very hard, cried, complained, allt that! But Inside I felt the presence of God telling me to trust Him, everything was going to be ok and it is!
Our human nature will always want to complain but we can stop it by listening to the voice of truth inside us! Isn’t that great?! One of my friends reminded me that when God closes one door, He opens another. Trust. thats what God wants from us.