STOP MURMURING!

^“And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.   And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.   Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people….. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.   Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (Num 21:5-7; I Cor.10:10,11).

It is a common thing among the people of God to murmur against God and His servants. Many Christians do not understand that murmuring against God and His servants is a serious sin which God does not take kindly. Murmuring by God’s people is complaint against God. The children of Israel were fond of this sin in their wilderness journey. They complained against God and against Moses His servant. Many of the Israelites appeared ungrateful to God. They murmured against God whenever there was any need.

Instead of taking the matter in a simple way, they always forgot that it was they who groaned and cried to God when they were in Egypt.  They forgot how God in a wonderful way delivered them, carried them on eagle’s wing, and brought them out from Egypt with large possessions as they plundered the Egyptian.  (Exd. 12:35-36). They had forgotten the plagues that struck the whole land of Egypt for their sake and how God did not let any of the plagues affect them, even though, they were in the land of Egypt.

Their first launch of complaint was at the bank of the Red Sea (Exd.14:8-13).  But Moses told them, “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Verse 14). God delivered them; He fought for them as Moses had said.  Yet, the people keep on complaining and murmuring whenever there was any need (read Exd.15:24;16:2;17:3; Num 1:1;14:27:20:3).  In all these, God had not failed to meet their needs, but He was not happy with them, because they appeared ungrateful to Him. The story is not different among the people of God in the church today.  The people of God tend to complain and murmur when they discover a need and instead of taking their matter to the source of their supply (Jehovah- Jireh), they start complaining against God, forgetting all that God had done for.  They always doubt His goodness and ability to do more than He did in the past. It is an act of ingratitude and God does not take it kindly with His people.

When things do not work the way some Christians want them, they begin to murmur against God and their spiritual leaders. Sometimes, when some Christians come to some critical situations, they talk like unbelievers with complaints and murmuring, it is a sin punishable with death penalty in the Old Testament and hindrance to prayers and blessings in the New Testament. We should not forget that our Christian journey is not a matter of bread and butter affair. The Lord Jesus said: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John16:33 NLT). To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Therefore whenever you find yourself in a hard situation or in need, either now or in the future, all you need is to: “Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD…The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exd.14:13,14). Think more on what you already have and less on what you do not have. God will see you through.

(Sing G.H.B.217).

Prayer Points:

1. Lord, forgive me of all my sins of murmuring in Jesus name.
2. Lord, help me to always think about your goodness in my life
3. I will fulfill my destiny in Jesus name.