Through Numbers 預覽

Going Through The Mundane 

In our journey called life, there are seasons when we feel we are on autopilot mode. For those working, it's about getting up, getting their responsibilities at home completed, get back to work, and the list continues. For the homemaker, it's one chore after the other, usually putting the needs of the family before theirs. It's at those times we wish for the exciting days of long ago or crave for the lifestyle we don't have.

In today's passage, we see the Israelites after they experienced God's deliverance from the cruelty of the Egyptians, being rescued from the pursuing army through the Red Sea, the daily providence of manna, became tired of the mundane journey.. It's so easy to judge the Israelites but how many times do we find ourselves in a similar position? We forget God's deliverance and providence in our life and complain about our mundane life. 

Is it wrong that the Israelites craved for meat and the excellent produce of Egypt they missed? The issue is not their desire but their response. Instead of grumbling, they should have asked God to fulfil their desire. To a God who was leading them to a promised land flowing with milk and honey, giving them meat in the desert was not a difficult task. Even Moses found it difficult to believe that God could provide. 

In our life, we have desires at different times. An excellent response to our heart's wish is being grateful for what we have and asking God to fulfil our desires His way. The catch is "God's way", because when it's God's way, it mostly doesn't happen the way we dream or expect. 

In my journey with God and submitting my desires to Him, I have not been disappointed. Like the Israelites, I also had aspirations I have pursued with grumbling, where I, too, faced the consequences as in today's passage. I have learnt in God's school to submit my desires into His hands and allow Him to fulfil them His way. 

A word of caution: our desires should not be dictated by what others have, to prove our worth, or ratify our standing in society or to put others down. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees beyond our thoughts and actions.

Thought for the day: 

What mundane activity do you complain about? How would God like you to respond?

Lord, we submit our desires to You.

Additional Reading - Numbers 10-12