Grumbling

 and the people of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."
Exodus 16:3 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.16.3.ESV

The people of Israel had just been delivered from slavery in Egypt. God had parted the Red Sea for them to walk through on dry ground. Yet here they were grumbling about lack of food.

As Israelite grumbling persisted, God's patience was tested, and He punished them. At this stage however, He graciously gave them heavenly bread (which they nicknamed 'manna'- 'what is it?'). Just because God is merciful to grumblers doesn't mean to say we should grumble.

Instead of grumbling behind God's back, we should complain directly to Him, and cry out for our daily bread. If we give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father look after us! We just need to trust in Him.

The Israelites were debating whether it was better to be full slaves or hungry and free. They forgot that the wilderness wasn't their destiny. They were headed for the promised land. We're to look to the new creation, not this wilderness world for fulfilment.

'Heavenly Father, forgive us for times we grumble we pray. Thank You for Your gracious provision of us. Help us to live for the new creation, in Jesus' name, amen'

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