Christian Living

Grumbling in the desert

by jay supetran
08/07/17
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Philippians 2:14-15 - Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

There are times we feel we are living in hell instead of enjoying in the Kingdom of God.  We pray for blessings but we are in a dead-end job, we remain in perpetual need, our relationships are in shambles and nobody seems to understand us. We seek happiness but our days are sad and drab.  

Our Promised Land is a distant and unreachable dream and we keep on wandering in the wilderness of uncertainty.  We see other people are fortunate, relishing life as if there is no tomorrow while we wallow in poverty and have to work endlessly just to keep both ends meet.  And we ask God why this is so?

The narrative in the book of Exodus gives us insights on the experience of the Israelites. God took His people out of Egypt, the place of slavery. From Egypt, God led His people to the Promised Land - a ‘land flowing with milk and honey,’ a perpetual inheritance, a specific place for His people - a place of peace, protection and provision.   Between Egypt and the Promised Land is a desert, the place where God will be with His people as they are refined and made ready for the Promised Land.

We read in Exodus, the whole generation who left Egypt perished in the desert and only two reached the Promised Land – Joshua and Caleb. What happened? In Numbers 20:5 we read, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” The people grumbled and rebelled against God! Instead of looking forward to the Promised Land, they longed for the food in Egypt.

The question then is, are our attitude the same with those of the Israelites? Do we love the food and amenities in Egypt despite being slaves?  Do we hate the conditions in the desert and grumble instead of looking forward to the place promised by God to be our eternal inheritance?

If we are still in our Egypt, no bright future is in sight, we will die as slaves. If we have received Christ, we have left Egypt and are just passing through the desert going to our Promised Land.  The challenges we face are refining our character and preparing us for a brighter future. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 we read, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Grumbling will not bring us closer to the Promised Land, but a prolonged stay in the wilderness until we perish. The right attitude is to thank God and strive to reach the place God has prepared for us. 1Thessalonians 5:18 states, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for it is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."