Yesterday at church, the pastor was preaching on the Israelites and their journey to the promised land.
I haven't read the story in such a long time, that as I was reading through the story, I began reading more and more, and ended up reading several chapters.

I find it truly amazing how much emotion that God has. 

When the people murmured against God, He was weary with them.
When they were discontented about their food, He was angry with them.

How many times have I been discontented with the way my life is?  How many times have I complained to myself when I saw things that need repair and remodeling in the house, and wished we had something better?
I have to wonder if this is making God weary with me. 

For instance....Instead of worrying about the many problems we have in our house, I should be thanking God that I have a house that is paid for, and that I am not in debt.  I should be thankful for the fact that our house is well insulated and keeps us warm in the winter.   I should be thankful that I am not having to worry from month to month how I am going to make payments for it.   I should be thankful for so many things.  This is just one of many things I need to change my thinking on.

I can imagine it had to be hard for the Israelites to eat manna for as long as they did....when they talked of the Garlic, melons and other foods they missed in Egypt, I can imagine I might have been as discontented as they did, and fallen into that way of thinking.  

11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

11:7 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.

11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.

11:9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

11:10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.

 Surely those foods they remembered from Egypt were wonderful, but the Israelites were being extremely ungrateful for what God had done for them- they had forgotten the works that God had done for them, and what great things God had brought them through...they had forgotten his many miracles and his provisions for them...and they had forgotten to be thankful for the fact that he had given them exactly what they needed to carry them through the wilderness.  

I believe God is the same God today as He has always been...the Bible gives us insight into how God feels about the actions we make, and when we worry about our life and are discontented, it does not make God happy, and it can harm or hinder our relationship with God.  

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Here are a couple of the verses I read about God's reaction to the people and their actions:

Numbers 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled;

14:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?

14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

The Bible says, "In everything give thanks"...this means even in times where we feel that things aren't going the way they should.  We should never grumble about situations that we are not happy with.
I don't want to weary God by being unthankful for what He has done for me.

God has a plan for everything.  Even things that we see as being terrible at this time can be a blessing later on. Just imagine how Joseph must have felt being sold into slavery by his brothers- but it ended up being a blessing for him in the end.  "All things work together for the good to those that love God and are called according to his purpose".


Luke 12:22-34

[22] Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. [23] Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. [24] Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! [25] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? [26] Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? [27] "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [28] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! [29] And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. [30] For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. [31] But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

[32] "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.