#DailyDevotions Did You Forget The Shape You Were In Before?

Numbers 11:4–6, 10–15 ⁴The rabble of non-Israelites among them had a strong craving, and the Israelites also wept and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? ⁵We think of the fish we could eat for nothing in Egypt, the cucumbers, watermelons, leeks, onions, and garlic, ⁶but now our appetites are shriveled, and there’s nothing but this manna for us to look at.”… ¹⁰Moses heard the people weep, in family groups, everyone at the door of his tent; and the LORD became very angry, and Moses was troubled. ¹¹“Why do You mistreat Your servant?” Moses asked the LORD, “Why are You so unkind to me to burden me with all these people? ¹²Did I conceive these people or give birth to them that You should make me carry them in my arms like a foster father carries a nursing child, to the land that you with an oath promised their fathers? ¹³Where can I get meat to give all these people when they trouble me with their weeping, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat?’ ¹⁴I can’t carry all these people by myself; they’re too much for me. ¹⁵If this is how You’re going to treat me, please, if You’re kind to me, kill me, and don’t let me suffer more of this.”

It is kind of amazing how quickly we forget sometimes the bad times we were in when we’re releaved of them and then find ourselves later in some other predicament. I find addictive personality types manifest this behavior where it can be seen the best because of the extremes of their living conditions. Yet, we all are addicted to sin. It may actually be a bit more dangerous to us because we don’t see it as clearly as we do in people’s lives who are very visibly all messed up.

The Israelites here manifest this behavior. They’ve been freed from slavery in Egypt. They had been crying out to God for salvation it was so bad. Now he has freed them and brought them out to the wilderness. They developed a strong craving for the food they once ate there. It may be true they ate well there. However this statement, “We think of the fish we could eat for nothing in Egypt” is far from the truth. They were experiencing hard labor. It wasn’t free.

They had complained about food before and the LORD provided manna for them. Apparently they didn’t have enough good recipies to make it more appetizing. The people were grumbling against Moses. Fancy that, they didn’t take their complaint directly to the LORD who called them out of Egypt. I wonder why. Well, I know why. It was their lack of faith. Now their lack of faith in the LORD manifested by their complaints was angering the LORD. Moses himself was up in arms over the people and at least he brought his complaint to the LORD. When you complain to your pastor do you ever wonder if he does what Moses did? Did you pray to the LORD before bringing your complaint to him? Just wondering. Moses is like, “Hey LORD. These are “Your” peoople. They’re not mine. I didn’t create or give birth to them. Why are they complaining to me. They should be talking to you. If you’re going to treat me like this, having these people to lead, just kill me now.” Yes Virginia, pastors do say things like this in their prayers concerning their congregations at times. You don’t want to be the cause of that.

When you find yourself lacking what you think is a good thing ask yourself, “Self, have you taken this to the LORD yet?” No? Humble yourselves under the hand of the Almighty who cares for you and set your petition before him for the sake of Jesus. He will hear you and do what is best for you. Then give thanks as if you have received it and rejoice in it.

Heavenly Father, open our lips so we may pray and not complain. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.