Complaining and Murmuring

Scripture:

Numbers 21:5-6  "They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  There is no bread!  There is no water!  And we detest this miserable food!'  Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died".

Observation:

God had brought His people out of slavery and bondage, provided for them miraculously, protected them continually, yet they continued to complain.  God brought water out of a rock when they were thirsty and performed many mighty miracles.  God gave them food every morning, but they didn't like it.  When they complained, God sent snakes among them to let them know He wasn't happy.  They were complaining about their situation, yet their situation was their fault.

Application:

It is much easier to complain than to have a good attitude.  It is easy to find fault in God or others, but hard to point the finger at ourselves and admit we are the problem.  Complaining and murmuring only made things worse for the children of Israel and it only makes things worse in our lives.  We need to look at what God has provided for us and be thankful.  A thankful heart gets blessed, and unthankful heart gets bitten.

Prayer:

Lord, help me walk in thankfulness for Your incredible blessings.  I don't want to walk in the company of the complainers.  Help me to see what we do have instead of what we don't have.  Thank You for putting up with me when I do complain.

Yours,
Jeff