Grumbling or Praying?
Every time we have a problem we have a choice to make. Will we grumble, or will we pray? Grumbling does not bring the solution to the problem, and it can be very detrimental to us, because it displeases God, incurring His anger. However, God always answers our prayers, if we sincerely cry out to Him, as Moses did. (Exodus 15:24,25) This is a vital life principle.
Three days before finding the bitter water at Marah, the Israelites had experienced the dividing of the Red Sea, so that they all walked across on dry land, while the Egyptian army drowned. Now, they were thirsty, so they grumbled to Moses. This continued to be their pattern of behavior for quite a while, even after they saw God work in many miraculous ways. This shows that a negative person is not trusting God, and a grumbling person is self-centered instead of God-centered. We grumble when life is about us, and we don't get our way. Sounds like a child, doesn't it?
However, a mature, God-centered believer will always pray first when a problem is encountered, believing that God cares, and He will give the solution in His time and with His power. When we pray first, instead of grumbling, it is a sign of a thankful heart, and we are to pray with thanksgiving about everything. I pray that we all will heed this lesson and practice what Moses did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 16-19.
Three days before finding the bitter water at Marah, the Israelites had experienced the dividing of the Red Sea, so that they all walked across on dry land, while the Egyptian army drowned. Now, they were thirsty, so they grumbled to Moses. This continued to be their pattern of behavior for quite a while, even after they saw God work in many miraculous ways. This shows that a negative person is not trusting God, and a grumbling person is self-centered instead of God-centered. We grumble when life is about us, and we don't get our way. Sounds like a child, doesn't it?
However, a mature, God-centered believer will always pray first when a problem is encountered, believing that God cares, and He will give the solution in His time and with His power. When we pray first, instead of grumbling, it is a sign of a thankful heart, and we are to pray with thanksgiving about everything. I pray that we all will heed this lesson and practice what Moses did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 16-19.