Patti Burris

Exodus 16:6-8

⁶ So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, ⁷ and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” ⁸ Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”

The Israelites complained ALOT! Nothing was ever good enough for them. God in His patience listened to their complaints and gave them what they wanted. Manna, quail, water, clothes and shoes that never wore out and guidance through the wilderness. Still, the Israelites grumbled.

Sounds like us. No matter what God does for us, we grumble and complain, “well, you answered our prayer, Lord, but that wasn’t the way we wanted it answered.” Really? Can’t we just be grateful?

We are especially ungrateful here in America. Life is not perfect, but the majority of us have what we need. We may not always have what we want, but we have what we need. I raised 5 kids as a single mom. We lived in a low income neighborhood and struggled financially, but we had what we needed.

There are 2 things I want you to remember:

1. There are those that are truly suffering. There are those living around us that really are suffering and in need. Those that are homeless and food insecure. Those that have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and can’t pay their bills. Look around you and be grateful for what you DO have. Be willing to share what you have with those around you who really are in need. Be willing to give someone else a hand up to help better their  life.
2. You are grumbling against GOD. Moses tells the Israelites that they aren’t grumbling against him and Aaron, they are grumbling against God. When we complain and whine like petulant 2 year olds, we are whining against God. We are telling God that we don’t appreciate what He has done for us and that we think that we are entitled to so much more. When we grumble we are telling God that we don’t believe that He knows what He is doing and that we think that WE could do better. I would rather be grateful for the goodness in my life that is because of God. Life is not perfect, but life is still good.

Don’t be like the grumbling Israelites. Is it to late to warn Americans not to become entitled, snot nosed, whiners who think they deserve the best of everything because they are Americans? America is a nation of spoiled brats and God is now reminding us that HE is the King of kings and Lord of lords. God is now warning us to start thinking about others and to stop being selfish or the days ahead could be full of suffering for many many people. God had patience with the Israelites but He also allowed them to suffer because of their attitudes and disobedience. Be warned Americans. God’s patience is wearing thin!