Scripture:
Numbers 11:4-6 ESV
[10] Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. [11] Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
Observation:
It’s going to be hard to stay out of the application on this one because it’s just so easy to see for me so bear with me, please. GOD had brought HIS people out of a horrible situation. They were being mistreated, they were angry with one another, and being forced to labor they did not want to perform. However, their memory of that situation at this point was not the same as the reality of the situation. In their minds, captivity was better because they had meat to eat. GOD had delivered them and they just wanted to complain about it, because they wanted their idea of deliverance. This eventually wore on Moses as well and although GOD was using him in a major way he started to complain as well. He needed help and apparently, Aaron was not enough. The people were wearing him down.
Application:
Addiction has a strong pull on those who struggle with it. We can look at it as captivity. Have you ever heard of Stockholm Syndrome? If not let me explain it to the best of my ability. Stockholm’s Syndrome is when someone is kidnapped or taken captive yet they start to think they love and need the person who has taken them captive. Another term that comes to mind is euphoric recall this happens when all you can remember about your past is the good times even though it was horrifying. I have seemed to struggle with both of these in the past when it comes to addiction. To be honest you almost have to force yourself to remember that horrible stuff you went through. How was that said at the beginning… the rabble has a strong craving. My second point is this complaining is contagious. Moses had been worn down by the people. How often do we get to a place where the attitude of others rubs off on us and we start to grip about those who GOD put under our care? The Bible says to be a Shepard’s of GOD flock because you are willing. GOD is doing amazing things and HE is using you to do it let’s not complain about it. HE has given you influence use it in the right manner. Pastor Chad says in any relationship you are doing one of two things you are either influencing or being influenced as men and women of GOD our job is to be a thermostat not a thermometer you see a thermometer only tells what the temperature is a thermostat sets the temperature. we are to be influencing the culture not letting the culture influence us
Prayer:
[4] Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! [5] We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. [6] But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”.
PRAYER.
Father your grace is truly amazing. Your patience with us is strong and true. Help us to see that your way is better then our way we do not want to get sidetracked by what seems to be good we want what is good. We know that we are in a spiritual war. This is shown by the fact that our flesh wars against our spirit. Our flesh wants what feels good and are spirit wants what is good. Let us take time each day to feed our spirit man and starve our flesh tell it dies. We want you. We want the manna you provide. You are doing amazing things let us never forget that. Let us not grow tired in well-doing. Give us understanding and wisdom to see all you have done and are doing let us not lose sight of the goodness of the manna you have provided. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.