Complain

Numbers 11-14

And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. Numbers 14: 33 NRSV

This is the day of complaints. In fact, I recommend that, even if you aren't reading through the Bible, that you read Numbers 11-14 today. There you will see the complaints.

Complaints from the people against misfortunes.

Complaints from the people against having nothing but manna to eat - and no meat.

Complaints from Moses about the burden of all these "children" who complain against him.

Complaints from Moses that God expects him to get all the meat. 

Complaints that two of the seventy who received the Spirit of the Lord were not in the assembly.

Complaints from Aaron and Miriam about Moses' wife and their own lack of power and influence.

Complaints from ten of the twelve spies sent to the promised land that the land was too fortified to take.

Complaints from the people that God had brought them here to die by the sword and their little ones become booty.

Complaints from God (!) that these people have continued to despise God despite all the wonders and miracles that God has done for them.

Take a moment today to list your complaints - perhaps in writing. Then take the same amount of time to list what wonders and miracles that God has done and continues to do for you. Follow this with a prayer to God, thanking God for all God is doing in your life and asking forgiveness for your complaints.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims