Grumbling - Daily Devotional February 23rd 2010

Daily Bible Reading - Exodus 6, Luke 9, Job 23, 1 Corinthians 10

Grumbling

In 1 Corinthians 10 verses 5-12 it says, "Nevertheless, with most of them (people of God) God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.' We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall".

This passage is in reference to the children of Israel as they were traveling through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. It makes reference to the fact that many people disqualified themselves from the blessings of God as they were walking through the wilderness. There are quite a few things listed in this passage but this morning the one that sticks out to me the most is in verse 10, "nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer". This is a very eye opening thought for us today because although many of us may not be dealing with the other issues mentioned in this passage we may be grumblers.

Grumbling is to murmur or mutter in discontent; to complain sullenly. When the children of Israel did this the Destroyer came and destroyed them. Right after it says this in verse 10 verse 11 states, "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction...". This is a warning to us not to grumble about our situation or else we could end up like the children of Israel did, destroyed. I am a firm believer that it is not what we go through in life that destroys us but rather how we handle what we go through in life even if it is a wilderness season.

Philippians 4:4 says, " Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice". Paul who is the writer of both Corinthians and Philippians goes on to say here in verse 11 of Philippians 4 that no matter what situation he finds himself he has learned to be content or in other words he would not grumble. Grumbling brings destruction but rejoicing in every situation brings life and freedom. Think about it, if we can learn to rejoice in every situation then there is really nothing the devil can do to get us down, plus people who grumble just are not fun to be around.

What about you today? Maybe you are not dealing with all the other warnings in 1 Corinthians 10 but do you grumble or complain? Do you complain about your job, finances, roommate, family, friends, life in general or any other things for that matter. If so take a lesson from the children of Israel and stop bringing destruction on your life. Be happy, smile, life is Good!!

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Exodus 7, Luke 10, Job 24, 1 Corinthians 11

Dream Big
Ben