Exodus 16:6-7 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, 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?”
Change stresses me out. I don’t handle it well. I don’t like the unknown. And I’ve got a whole lot of change coming. I am cranky. I grumble A LOT. I don’t like it. I don’t like me when I’m like this. The emotions don’t feel good within my body. And my cranky grumbling spills out into every area of my life. Jesus, Help me.
Exodus 16:8 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.”
My behavior feels very much like the Israelites in this passage of Exodus. They grumble, whine, complain because they are scared. And Moses and Aaron point out, repeatedly, that it is God whom they are grumbling against, not man. God hears them. And instead of smiting them to shut them up, God gives them manna to remind them that He loves them and will provide.
Exodus 16:9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ”
Lord, I do not want to grumble. I don’t want to be afraid. Thank You for this reminder that Your default is compassion, not rage. Thank You for the reminder that You understand the human tendency to doubt, fear, and grumble. I know that You send manna daily, provision and blessings for me. I know it, even in my fear. Help me to be grateful instead of grumbly. Grant me Your peace. Amen.
Exodus 16:11-12 The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”
Have a blessed day.