6 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
Numbers 10:1-11:23
Mark 14:1-21
Psalm 51:1-19
Proverbs 10:31-32
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Numbers 11:10 (NLT): “Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the LORD became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Have you ever wondered if God is like some people you know who have a “button?” When that button gets pushed, they get upset?
We learn of that “button” in the book of Numbers. We observe through Israel’s actions and God’s responses what sends Him over the edge. In fact, our verse for today is just one of the many times that we see this striking correlation: The Israelites whined, and God got angry.
Numbers 11:10 (NLT): “Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the LORD became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated.”
I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand it when someone whines. Even the very word is enough to make me want to walk away. (But, I have complained plenty of times, too. Ugh!)
So, why can’t God stand whining? Why does it get Him so upset?
When we observe that the Israelites complained, it was because they didn’t like the circumstances they were experiencing. But who allowed them to experience those circumstances? God did! So when they complained, they were demonstrating that they didn’t like what God was doing in their life.
Simply put, complaining is directed at God. When we complain, we vocalize our displeasure in what He’s doing.
Friend, God is the sovereign ruler over Creation (Ephesians 1:11). A seemingly insignificant sparrow can’t even fall to it’s death without God giving it permission to do so (Matthew 10:29).
So, if God is that much of a micromanager, then there is nothing that can happen to you that God hasn’t either actively sent your way or passively allowed to come your way. Absolutely everything that you or I experience has to come from His hands.
So, when you and I whine about our circumstances, we’re actually showing our frustration and discontentment with God’s plan for us. While we may think that our frustration is justified because of a car that won’t start or a loved one who is in the hospital, what we’re really saying is that we could run the universe a whole lot better than God can.
So, what is the answer to discontentment? Trust!
If we want to be OK with whatever happens to us (and not resort to whining no matter how bad the circumstances), we have to learn to trust God and ask Him to give us the ability to trust Him even when life doesn’t make sense and when life hurts.
As we trust His heart, knowing that He loves us dearly and is working out His plan for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28), we can be OK with what happens in life. We won’t whine because we know that our troubles have to come through God’s loving hands before they get to us. And in that, we can find comfort.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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