Articles
How Often Do You Grumble When Obeying God?
One of the most famous grumblers in the Bible is the first generation of Israelites who were guided out of Egypt by God. The Israelites had everything they needed because God was supplying it for them. Amongst His provisions were food via manna (Ex. 16:4-8) and quail (Ex. 16:13-21), He provided water (Ex. 17:1-17), law and order (Ex. 20), leadership (Ex. 19), and protection (Ex. 13:21-22). Yet, those provisions were not enough for Israel because they had set their minds and hearts toward their expectations instead of on God. As a result, they grumbled and put Him to the test because they desired a life of comfort and ease over having a relationship with Him.
Philippians 2:14-16 reads, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.” Sometimes as children of God, we can become so focused on the trials of our lives and the “crooked” generation that we begin to grumble. All the while forgetting that God has given us the purpose of shining the light He has given us amidst that generation. God might not be a pillar of fire or cloud today, but He is among His children and still actively guiding us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Just like the Israelites, God-fearing people have provisions by God to accomplish His will in their lives. Therefore, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Through their grumbling the Israelites did not persevere in their faith but instead put God to the test. In Philippians 2:19-21, the apostle Paul says, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon…For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” From the Israelite's example, we can learn not to be like the disciples Paul is talking about. Rather than grumble and look after our interests, we can serve God in all that we do by shining His light and serving others as Jesus had done.
