“Stop Grumbling…!”

“Stop Grumbling…!”(Ex. 17:1-7).
Folk wisdom says “if you want to give the monkey a haircut you must first of all tie its hands.” What is implied is that human beings are unpredictable. It is possible for people to want to harm you when you are working for their good.
This was the character trait demonstrated by the Israelites during the exodus journey. At any least opportunity they grumbled against Moses and God. While camping at Rephidim they quarrelled with Moses, thus putting the LORD to the test. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” For mere thirst, Moses became the object of their grumbling, to the extent that they were almost ready to stone him.
Moses cried out to the LORD and the LORD asked him to use his staff and strike a rock for water to come out.
Moses did as the LORD commanded and the people had water to drink.
With God all things possible. The staff that Moses used in dividing the Sea of Reeds to have dry water bed is the same staff that he used in getting water out of a rock so as to quench the thirst of the people.
In later days Paul was to speak of Christ as “the spiritual rock that accompanied them…”(I Cor. 10:4).
The journey of faith has obstacles and stumbling blocks on the path, but there is need for great rejoicing when we get to the destination. During the wilderness journey we may become hungry and thirsty, we may be bitten by poisonous snakes, but we must keep the faith and keep on keeping on. The God who provides knows that we would get to that place of need, and he knows what he will do to satisfy us. Do not grumble, for that will be sinning against the LORD.
Prayer: LORD have mercy on us when in ignorance we grumble against you. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.