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Waaah!
by Sandy Housley
My attitude has been stinky for awhile. You might ask, “What do you have to complain about?” When I consider God’s goodness to me, yet focus on one area that is lacking my ideal, it’s easy to pick up on that deficiency and complain. My grumbling lately has been because of 8 years without Mark -- or anyone. Whining and questioning God’s love for me peaks when I see other widows and widowers find happiness again with someone. Eight years, Lord. Come on!
So, when I sense a negative rumbling in my spirit (about anything), or even an all-out gripe, I know it’s time to evaluate my “earnestness factor” in seeking the presence of the Lord. Have I longed and been earnest for time with God; to hear from Him through His Spirit and His Word? Have I been steady in meeting with Him. Am I open to His presence and will?
In reading scripture this morning, I came across Numbers 13 and 14. This passage gives the account of the Israelites’ bad attitudes when they discovered that the long-awaited promised land was filled with tall, scary people. Everything else about the country was ample in its beauty and resources (size, agriculture, water) and contained all they hoped for. So what happened?
Let me recap some major events:
- Israel was enslaved by Egypt for around 500 years.
- God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to release them from bondage so they could not only be free to worship Him, but in order to bless them with a land of their own.
- God demonstrated his miraculous power through 10 devastating plagues on the Egyptians, which included infestations of insects, croaky frogs in the cupboards and beds, and waterways turning to blood, real blood. Finally, and worst of all, the sudden death of every firstborn human and creature in Egypt, even Pharaoh’s own son. Miraculously, the slaves were untouched by these plagues.
- As a result of this, Pharaoh quite reluctantly let the people go. Israel gathered up their belongings and the gifts they received from neighbors and they followed Moses out of Egypt. Soon after, Pharaoh regretted acquiescing and sent thousands of soldiers to chase them down.
- By the time the Israelites reached the Red Sea, they thought the gig was up. It seemed impossible to walk millions of refugees across the sea to the other shore on foot, while thousands of soldiers on horses closed in on them.
- Another Miracle! God parted the sea. Seriously! They walked across on dry ground! (We’ve all seen Charleton Heston portray that scene in the movie The Ten Commandments. But that re-enactment was manufactured with gelatin). This was the real deal. Water parting.
- After the last Jew crossed the sea, Pharaoh’s army swallowed up. Not one made it out alive.
- Gone! Dead! Drowned! Horses, people, everything!
So, what’s the point of this story? It’s about what happened next.
After heading in the direction of the Promised Land, God performed even more amazing acts (manna, quail, pillars of clouds, water from rocks). Ten selected Israeli men entered the land to spy it out and came back with yummy fruit they'd plucked from the succulent vines, but also stories of giants in the land. Behemoths! Two of the spies were confident that God's people could take the land, as God promised. The other eight said, “...We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:31).
Thus commenced the crying, complaining, and a conspiracy to kill Moses. They even grumbled against God Himself, “Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword ... Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Numbers14:3). Oh, how quickly they forgot God’s power and miraculous deliverance. The result of their sin of grumbling (yes, it is sin) was that only two, Joshua and Caleb, of the millions who were headed for that Promised Land, were allowed to cross over. That generation spent 40 years wandering in the desert, homeless, because of their grousing, belly-aching and distrust of God.
This passage is convicting! It shouts my lack of faith in the God who brought me through my own unique set of miracles. It reminds me of the serious nature of questioning God’s goodness and plans for my life.
So, how do I change? How do I live Philippians 4:11b, “...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”?
Since I experience deep loneliness periodically, I’m learning that contentment is not something I can will myself to feel. The secret of contentment is believing that God has me right where He wants me at this moment; for His purposes and from a heart of grace-filled love.
For me, it’s about turning from focusing on what’s painful, to gazing on my Lord, the God who loves me so much He sacrificed His own Son in my place. Would He not now provide all that is good and best for me? Of course. Getting to that contented place happens only when I am silent before Him, humble, not seeking change or answers. In that place, I freely acquire His strength to sustain me in whatever helpless difficulty He allows in my life until, and if, He chooses to amend it.
The result of sitting at the feet of Jesus developing trust and embracing dependency is this:
I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content (Psalm 131:2).
My prayer is to learn to live in a constant state of contentedness because of His goodness, sufficiency, and love for me.
As my Dad used to say when we he heard the “Waaah” of ungrateful children: "Stop whining, and quit 'yer grumbling!"
Read
Numbers 13 and 14
Luke 10:38-42
Philippians 2:14
Philippians 4
1 Peter 4:9
Reflect
- What discontent is nagging at your heart lately?
- Is there something you can do to improve your situation?
- What is God asking you to do?
- Spend a minimum of one hour in a quiet place, uninterrupted, with your Bible and a notebook and listen for God’s answers.
Respond
My great and loving Father God, you have never left me or forsaken me, even in my worse times of trial and sorrow. Yet, now, in a time when I’m just discontented, I can’t seem to find a place of peace. Fill my mind and heart with truth; fill me with your Holy Spirit and turn my frantic fears and questions toward You. I long to be content in you. Give me your strength to reach that place. I am yours, I trust you whether you change my circumstances or not. Amen
© copyright 2011. Sandra Dowling Housley. All rights reserved.
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