Don't Grumble, Trust God

GOD’S RESPONSE

Knowing that Israel’s grumbling was the result of her lack of faith, God responded not with anger or judgment, but with provision. With abundance. With grace.

Consequently, God responded GENTLY and GRACIOUSLY to the grumblings of the Israelites. Rather than to rebuke them for their complaining, He did two things, both of which were intended to demonstrate His presence with His people in their affliction and adversity. First, He revealed His glory to the Israelites by some special manifestation of Himself in the cloud by which He had been leading them (16:10). Second, God provided His people with quail and with manna (16:11-14).

God feed them from His own hand, showing them that He was their SUFFICIENCY and their SUSTENANCE.

APPLICATION

From the New Testament references to the manna of the Israelites, I would suggest that several principles were being taught in the provision of this “bread from heaven” which are just as applicable to Christian living today as they were for the Israelites.

1. It teaches us to look to the Lord for our supply. The Israelite are told that this supply will come “from heaven for you.”

2. It teaches us to look to the LORD daily for our needs. The manna was to be gathered daily. Fresh food must be gathered every day. You cannot live on yesterday’s blessings. We must have something fresh every day. We cannot live today on the gathered provisions of yesterday. Dependence is a daily matter. Everyday fresh problems will arise to test whether or not we will depend on God.

3. It teaches us that to feed on Christ is the only secret of strength and blessedness.

4. Submission to the will of God is more important than satisfaction of our physical needs. (Matt. 4:1-2). The will of God is that we are SATISFIED in Him.

5. This encourages us to practice the right things. Remain teachable and humble during hardship. God didn’t whisk the Israelites directly to the promise land, and he certainly doesn’t whisk us straight to heaven the moment we are saved. Instead, He sends us on a long journey that present with all kinds of opportunities to trust Him. Be keep reminded of God faithfulness to you. Never let your earthly appetite squelch our desire for HIM.

6. The Lord will give us what we need tomorrow. That means we don’t have to worry about it. Listen to the words of Jesus: "Do not be anxious then, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:31-34).

7. We, like the ancient Hebrews, often grumble when we think God has mistreated or forgotten us. When we focus too much on our lack of earthly provisions, we forget that God abundantly SUPPLIES all our physical and spiritual needs. To battle a grumbling spirit, we need to focus our minds on JESUS CHRIST, not to the provision He will provide. Remember, SATISFACTION is only found in the loving relationship with the God of life. Not in anything He gives.