Numbers 11:1-2 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched.
Oh Friends, yuh see what happens when we don’t appreciate God’s blessings? The ungratefulness the Israelites displayed was shocking. Their God had just brought them out of centuries of bondage in Egypt; parted the Red Sea for them to escape their pursuers; was leading them through the wilderness to the Promised Land while feeding them with manna from Heaven. Granted, it was a rough journey. But was slavery in Egypt preferable or better? Friends, that elusive dream, Freedom, bears a very high price. We magnify it to utopian status and lust after it, but very few are willing to pay the price, oftimes death. Like the Israelites, we complain about our better than average circumstances. See how the Lord responded? Their ungratefulness kindled His anger so much, that it turned into a blazing fire that killed many of them. And their reaction? They cried unto Moses, who prayed unto the Lord, who, in His great mercy, quenched the fire. But did they learn? No! They listened to the mixed people amongst them and complained again about the manna. ‘But our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all beside this manna, before our eyes.’ (Vs.6) So it wasn’t the greatest tasting food, but it nourished their bodies, and only required them to go out every night when the dew fell, collect it, crush it and bake cakes. However, they wanted flesh, and woefully reminisced about the food in Egypt; the fish, melons, cucumbers, leeks, onions and garlic. Again we turn to the hefty price of freedom. Was bondage in Egypt worth the food there? Certainly not! But their memories were short, and their faith fickle. Guess they expected to leave slavery and enter the Promised Land without any hardship, have it handed to them on a silver platter. Unfortunately Friends, it doesn’t work like that. Freedom, and the good things that go with it, have to be earned, the hard way. And sadly, today we are exhibiting the same ungrateful attitude the Israelites did. We moan and groan about the trivial inconveniences we suffer, conveniently forgetting the important things the Most High has done for us. We also forget the millions of people around the world with circumstances significantly worse than ours; the millions who live in constant darkness, have no food or water, no clothing, no shelter, are unjustly imprisoned, persecuted, or made to flee their homes because of strife and warfare. Like the Israelites, our only concern is ourselves. Friends, that is not a godly attitude. Notice what the Lord did to those selfish, ungrateful people; He burnt them with fire. Please, let us learn from their example and strive to live less selfishly, and be thankful for the abundance that we do have, so that the Lord’s anger will not be kindled against us. Much LOVE!…learn this…true freedom is never cheap… nor easy…
Oh Friends, yuh see what happens when we don’t appreciate God’s blessings? The ungratefulness the Israelites displayed was shocking. Their God had just brought them out of centuries of bondage in Egypt; parted the Red Sea for them to escape their pursuers; was leading them through the wilderness to the Promised Land while feeding them with manna from Heaven. Granted, it was a rough journey. But was slavery in Egypt preferable or better? Friends, that elusive dream, Freedom, bears a very high price. We magnify it to utopian status and lust after it, but very few are willing to pay the price, oftimes death. Like the Israelites, we complain about our better than average circumstances. See how the Lord responded? Their ungratefulness kindled His anger so much, that it turned into a blazing fire that killed many of them. And their reaction? They cried unto Moses, who prayed unto the Lord, who, in His great mercy, quenched the fire. But did they learn? No! They listened to the mixed people amongst them and complained again about the manna. ‘But our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all beside this manna, before our eyes.’ (Vs.6) So it wasn’t the greatest tasting food, but it nourished their bodies, and only required them to go out every night when the dew fell, collect it, crush it and bake cakes. However, they wanted flesh, and woefully reminisced about the food in Egypt; the fish, melons, cucumbers, leeks, onions and garlic. Again we turn to the hefty price of freedom. Was bondage in Egypt worth the food there? Certainly not! But their memories were short, and their faith fickle. Guess they expected to leave slavery and enter the Promised Land without any hardship, have it handed to them on a silver platter. Unfortunately Friends, it doesn’t work like that. Freedom, and the good things that go with it, have to be earned, the hard way. And sadly, today we are exhibiting the same ungrateful attitude the Israelites did. We moan and groan about the trivial inconveniences we suffer, conveniently forgetting the important things the Most High has done for us. We also forget the millions of people around the world with circumstances significantly worse than ours; the millions who live in constant darkness, have no food or water, no clothing, no shelter, are unjustly imprisoned, persecuted, or made to flee their homes because of strife and warfare. Like the Israelites, our only concern is ourselves. Friends, that is not a godly attitude. Notice what the Lord did to those selfish, ungrateful people; He burnt them with fire. Please, let us learn from their example and strive to live less selfishly, and be thankful for the abundance that we do have, so that the Lord’s anger will not be kindled against us. Much LOVE!…learn this…true freedom is never cheap… nor easy…
SCRIP-BITS 