Murmuring Against God Almighty!

Reading:  Exodus 16, 17
My Verse:  "Your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD" (16:8b).

Here the Israelites complain and complain against Moses and Aaron.  They phrase their complaints in many different ways and point to their many different needs but always, as Moses points out here the complaining- the murmuring is not against Moses and Aaron but it is against You, LORD God.

First they complain about lack of water in 15:24 and again in 17:2.  Through Moses You provide water.  Then they complain for lack of food in 16:2.3.  Through Moses you provide manna and fowl.  They are attacked by the Amalakites in 17:8.  Again through Moses You provide them victory in battle. They severely and repeatedly "tempted and tried the patience of the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us or not?" (17:7).

This is such an important lesson, LORD God. It is always against You that we murmur. Though we try to focus our complaining and whining on either those around us or our circumstances it is always ultimately against You that we fret against.  For You, LORD God are omniscient - You know all.  You, LORD God are almighty - able to do all.  You, LORD God love us more than we can ever understand. 

Again here is that tension of our part vs Your part - our response to the testing, to the difficulty and Your part in allowing the testing and enabling us to deal with the trial.  This brings me back to the story of Joseph when he used the opportunity provided him to get himself out of jail.  He trusted You but yet he did not sit back and do nothing.  So I am responsible to act.  I need to use the will You gave me to do that which is right in Your eyes. I need to use the abilities You have given me to live the life You would have me to live in this world.

Oh, LORD God, I cannot even count the times I have murmured against You!  I used to read this passage and wonder at the Israelites - at their seeming blindness to the way You provided for them.  And yet, I find that I do the very same.  Like the Isaelites in the wilderness I quickly forget how You provide for me, how You have blessed me, how You have saved me!

I need to be more careful in how I live.  I need to be more specific and accurate in determining what the problem is that I am dealing with and not just carelessly moan and groan about my situation.  Oh, LORD God You tell us to live purposefully and accurately as much as we are able.

"Look carefully then how you walk!  Live purposefully and worthily and accurately,  not as the unwise and witless, but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15).

"Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the LORD is" (Ephesians 5:17).

Forgive me my murmurings, LORD God.  Thank You for this lesson.  Help me, I pray, to look to You with a heart of thanksgiving.  Help me to trust that You will bring me through each and every trial.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!