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Scripture for the day: Numbers 21:4-5 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”
Thought for the day: The children of Israel had marched out of Egypt with heads held high, in plain sight of those who had held them in bondage for over 400 years. They were going with God on a new and exciting adventure that promised to deposit them in the Promised Land, the land their fathers and grandfathers had longed to see. Excitement and a sense of expectation were thick in the atmosphere of the camp that first night of freedom. But the first night turned into another and another until, through the crossing of the Red Sea, the water from the rock, the manna, the quail, the Law given on Mount Sinai, and all the rest, the only thing the people could think about was resting from this seemingly endless journey.
They should have been there by now. Granted, they’d made that mistake a Kadesh earlier and hadn’t entered in when Joshua and Caleb had urged them to go forward, but their fear had been warranted, hadn’t it? Now, here they were, wandering about in the desert again, and for how long this time? Is it any wonder they’d become discouraged? Complaining was the order of the day and I suppose even the Lord had had enough; he sent “fiery serpents” among them. Anyone who was bitten died until the Lord provided a means of relief (but that’s another story for another time).
The point is this; we can get discouraged when things aren’t going according to plan (our plan of course, not necessarily the Lord’s). And it makes little difference whose fault it is that the plan isn’t working. Often we get into difficulty because of choices we’ve made and really have no one to blame but ourselves. Sometimes we get into difficulty because of choices that others have made, over which we have no control. And sometimes we get into difficulty because we’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Generally speaking, complaint is the result, regardless of the cause.
But what do we have to complain about? Has not the Lord promised to show us the way? Has he not guaranteed a home in heaven if we but trust and obey? Has he not given us all the direction we need if we but listen to his Word? Has he not already brought us out from the bondage of sin and provided for us as we’ve made this journey of faith with him? He has, and that knowledge alone should be enough to see us through the rest of the way.
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, “Do you have anything to say?”
The monk replied, “Food bad.”
After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts.
He said, “Bed hard.”
Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, “I quit.”
“It doesn’t surprise me a bit. You’ve done nothing but complain ever since you got here.”
God has allowed you to be where you are for a good reason; that he might reveal himself to the world through you; through your attitudes, your actions and how you react to the adversities of your life. As you go out into the world today, remember that someone will see Jesus in you – or not – it’s your choice.
Now go take on your world. - Bill