DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018 STOP COMPLAINING TEXT: NUMBERS 11:31-35

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

STOP COMPLAINING

TEXT: NUMBERS 11:31-35

Key Verse: “And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.” (Number 11:33)_

The “gift” of grumbling is largely dispensed among those who have no other talents, or who keep what they have wrapped up in a napkin.

Ever since Israel left Egypt, God had been supplying them with all the food they needed. It was now about two years that they had had manna. Perhaps, they were getting tired of having the same food, yet they ought to have trusted God to supply their needs through prayers with thanks giving. Instead, they chose to complain and make a noise about it. God gave them the quails but send a plaque among them to destroy them for their sins.

God filled Israelite’s camp, which would be a fair-sized city all by itself with quail to a depth of three feet! Not trusting that the birds would remain, even though God said it would be there for a month, the people stayed up for two days straight, gathering quail. The pickings were so easy that the smallest amount gathered was ten homers. One homer was a typical load for a donkey, or about 6.25 bushels or 50 gallons. A large trash bag would hold 40 gallons trash bags full of quail. They spread out to eat the meat right then, but before they could even swallow it, God stuck them down with a plaque.

Their lust caused them to put God on trial. The result was their death. Unbelief can be very dangerous. Learn today to be content with what God provides and never murmur against Him or His appointed servant.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Better to be quiet and reflective than murmur and complain.

COVER to COVER: JUDGES 16-18.

PONDER:
1.The background of the text: Numbers 11:4-6, 10, 18. The commentary on the text: Psalm 78: 18-27.
1. Nothing wrong in asking for meat. Jesus taught us in the Lord's prayers to ask.
2. "They tempted God" instead of asking i.e. they provoked God through murmuring, jesting, evil speaking etc to force Him against His will at that particular time (permissive will). Psalm 78:18,19
3. Murmuring is the natural tendency of the unregenerate when under pressure Number 11:4.Never yield to it.
4. It is a symptom of unbelief from those who have given up on God in their hearts. Psalms 78:22
5. And so, Israel failed woefully in God's school of faith and endurance (Deut. 8:3) and they paid dearly for it. Numbers 11:33

HYMN: Never Give Up (GHS 5)

1. Never be sad or desponding,
If thou hast faith to believe;
Grace, for the duties before thee,
Ask of thy God and receive.

Refrain:
Never give up,
Never give up,
Never give up to thy sorrows,
Jesus will bid them depart;
Trust in the Lord,
Trust in the Lord,
Sing when your trials are greatest,
Trust in the Lord and take heart.

2 What if thy burdens oppress thee;
What though thy life may be drear;
Look on the side that is brightest,
Pray, and thy path will be clear. [Refrain]

3 Never be sad or desponding,
There is a morrow for thee;
Soon thou shalt dwell in its brightness,
There with the Lord thou shalt be. [Refrain]

4 Never be sad or desponding,
Lean on the arm of thy Lord;
Dwell in the depths of His mercy,
Thou shalt receive thy reward. [Refrain]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Ask God for pardon in any way you have murmured against under pressure and promise God never to murmur against Him again.
2. Ask God for faith and grace that will not fail under temptations and trials of faith.
3. Ask God for grace that overcomes the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life at all times.
4. Ask God for mercy on the Church for all our murmurings and complaints. Ask for grace and faith that will never give up on God for all members.