I don't want to complain, but...

| February 25, 2010

It seems that Moses had to deal with problem after problem; and all the problems he had to deal with came from the very people he was trying to lead.  You can see that Moses was filled with the Grace of God because of the way he responds to challenges from the Israelites.  They would complain about God, going against Him in word and action, be punished for their disobedience, complain again, and so the cycle went. 

In Numbers 14, after the Promise Land has been checked out, people rebel, asking, “Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”  Hearing this, the Lord suggests to Moses that He strike them all down.  If I was the leader, I might take Him up on that, which is probably why God chose Moses instead of me!  Having thousands challenge God’s power and authority everyday while they are witnessing the miracles He performs first-hand, it would be hard to keep pleading for their salvation.  Well, Moses was obviously filled with the Spirit of God and showed it through the consistent love for those He was leading.

We can contrast the attitude of the Israelites roaming through the desert with that of the early Christians.  God’s Spirit didn’t rest on just one, but through Christ he poured out His Spirit on all people.  Through trials and tribulations, I would imagine there had to be some complaining and grumbling, but I think their attitude would be more like what Paul writes in Romans 5:3-5:    

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

I’m pretty sure Paul wouldn’t boast that this was from him but that it was from the God.  Being filled with the same Spirit that filled Moses, Paul, and all the early Christians who faced persecution daily, we can easily make the choice to persevere rather than complain.  God bless!