When was the last time you complained about something? Complaining comes very natural to the human spirit. Even though we are not perfect we often expect things to go smoothly. We don’t want any bumps in the road. However as we know in western Pennsylvania, bumps in the road are inevitable. And usually when they come our first inclination is to complain about them. We want the icy roads cleared, but complain when the result of the process creates potholes.
The Lord had given Israel a sacrificial system that when followed would maintain their relationship with Him. He would dwell with them and in fact go before them as a Protector. Their Creator and King would lead them, guide them, and dwell with them. “The Lord has promised good things to Israel,” Moses told his father-in-law. Num 10:29
The nation went from being a faithful nation, when they built the tabernacle and began to sacrifice according to the law, to a complaining nation. (Num 11:1) Although the content of their initial complaining is not stated, it appears the some of them wanted to return to Egypt. The anger of Lord stopped it as the fire of the Lord consumed some of them.
Yet, their example did nothing to stop the complaining for the mix multitude began to lust after meat rather than being satisfied with the manna. (11:4) They didn’t have to cultivate and work a garden. They didn’t need to mix ingredients to bake or cook it. They were on their way to the land that God had promised to Abraham’s descendants. (Ex 33:1) It was a land “flowing with milk and honey.” Ex 33:3 Rather than asking God for a little meat, they just complained despite how greatly God was blessing them and would bless them even greater when they would enter into the Promised Land. They wanted their immediate desires satisfied rather than having a thankful and contrite heart toward the One who was meeting their every need.
“Now all these things happen to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition (instruction), upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (I Cor 10:11) Rather than complaining people, we need to be thankful. How many times do I catch myself all too ready to moan about some insignificant inconvenience or difficulty? How too often I forget to thank my Lord for how abundantly and often He blesses me throughout each and every day.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians challenging them, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Phil 2:14,15) Do I want to complain like those who have no hope or do I want to be a light that shines in a dark place? I want to be a light, but that is going to require me to have a different attitude at times. God never said that we wouldn’t hit some potholes on this road. So the next time I hit a pothole rather than complaining, I am going to be thankful for the road.