The Lord convicted me of something recently (we'll see whether it sticks) and I thought I'd share it.
As I've mentioned before I tend to be a bit of a complainer. Lately my spiritual life has consisted mostly of complaints about why the Lord is allowing this to happen or why he's allowing that to happen. (In particular, I wonder why it is that I want so badly to be holy, but feel like I'm going so far in the other direction. I also complain that I can't see God working in my life.) Sometimes I feel like my prayer is just a litany of complaints.
I started to think about the Israelites in the desert. They complained. And God was not at all happy about it. They had seen his mighty works, but when the going got tough, they stopped trusting in him and complained.
What did they complain about? Well, for one thing, there was the menu. Manna. For forty years.
Hmmmm.
What would I do if I had to spend forty years eating manna? I'd probably complain, too.
After about a week.
What else did they complain about?
Lack of water. You know, one of those luxury items. Totally unreasonable to want that.
Suddenly my track record is not looking so good. I'd really hate to think what I'd be doing if I were back then.
I think about the wonders that God has done in my life. And how I've forgotten them. And how my trust in God has become a bit strained. Not unlike the Israelites. And then there is the complaining. Yep, just like the Israelites.
Sigh. And here all along I thought the Israelites were pretty stupid.
Well I'll try to learn from this to avoid complaining. It's going to be hard, because there is a lot I don't understand, and a lot of frustration I feel. By God's grace may I be at peace. And, Moses, pray for me!
So are you upset at Steve Jobs still for making it so difficult and unintutive to shuffle a playlist? :-) - C^2
You seem to forget that it was the Israelites' strained faith in G-d that condemned them to wander in the first place--their lack of faith that G-d would fight for them in the Holy Land. You also seem to forget that despite the complaining, the crises of faith, and the petty human faults the Israelites exhibited, G-d nonetheless stayed with them, supported them, and gave them a myriad of blessings before finally bringing them to a better, holier life in Israel.
Faith will get you through, as it has saved me many times. May G-d bless you, Eric...as I'm sure He already is.
You might also want to reread the book of Job. It always helps me when I'm feeling upset with G-d...it's a reminder that although good people may suffer through tests of faith sometimes, they always come out on top in the end.