And Moses

“And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Working with the public, I hear a great deal of murmuring; about anything and everything you can imagine! Some translations say “grumbling and complaining!”  We, almost without exception, are a critical bunch; never satisfied. It’s either too hot or too cold; too much rain or not enough. 

Did you notice in the above scripture the last line? 

“your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.”

It’s the same today. 

We may not think that our complaints are directed at God, but He, however, takes them as such. The reason - He is our Provider! When we complain we are in essence accusing Him; saying He has failed to provide for us sufficiently!  He hears our “murmurings and takes them personally. He considers it sin. 

There is a critical spirit that is rampant in the church, today. It’s one that is acceptable because of its prevalence.  The enemy knows the implications and whispers all of his accusations against God in our ears, and we in ignorance repeat them to anyone that will listen. We are so bad we even complain unconsciously, just to ourselves, when we are alone.  

Some would say this is legalistic; OT stuff, however look at what The New Testament has to say about this pervasive sin:

“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have such a great deal to be thankful for; yet we are such an ungrateful lot. We are commanded to even offer a sacrifice of praise when things are at their worst! 

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews‬ ‭13:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our words are considered the “fruit of our lips!” I would say our fruit is pretty much rotten, which is a reflection of our hearts. 

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do we speak love when we are dissatisfied? 

Are we longsuffering  when things don’t go our way?

Are we joyful when we are accused?

Are we gentle with the people that fail us?

You get the picture.

My prayer:  Father I humbly come before You confessing my sin of murmuring. I repent Father God for my unthankful heart. I repent for listening to the lies of the enemy and speaking them. I ask LORD that you would forgive me for implying that You have not provided for me. You are such a good good Father and You take great care of Your children, yet we are continually ungrateful. I ask Your forgiveness for the words that I have spoken against You and for that sin in my heart. Make me aware of the words I speak; let me hear what is displeasing to You. Cleanse me. In Jesus’ precious name I pray! Amen.

Even so - MARANATHA