Out of Egypt
Today’s lesson is painful. With frustration and disgust abounding this morning – even in my first waking thoughts – I was stewing and storming about the house as I attended to my morning chores. Thusly prepared in heart and mind I snatched up my Bible for morning reading – hmph, the book of Numbers was my fleshy thought. But I prayed a quick half-hearted prayer asking the Lord to bless my reading all the while not expecting He actually would. Oh for some soothing words of comfort, some word to justify my foul mood, some tender encouragement; these are what had I set my heart on.
But what met me was Numbers 11:1 “And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord.”
Just as I was amused by this complaining child, I can’t help but believe the Lord is amused by some of my whining complaints.
Oh! – certainly not what I was hoping for but most assuredly just what I needed. Pricked in my heart I fell into silent prayer confessing my complaints and feeling deep sorrow for having displeased the One I love best.
Reading on I was quite convicted by the whole chapter. Why did we have to come here leaving the comforts of home – I sounded like I wanted to return to Egypt with the Israelites. Why is it so hard to get good food and prepare a decent meal – where’s the leeks and cucumbers and melons we freely ate in Egypt? Why do I have to play baby sitter to a bunch of adults – now I sounded like Moses who complained, “Have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom?” Lord, why do you ask me to endure such hardness? The answer came in verse 15 – so that I can see my own wretchedness. And I was getting a big dose of it this morning.
It’s startling when the heart is revealed. Philippians 3:10, That I may know him, remains my deepest dominant desire but at times that vision becomes clouded as the flesh, and the mind, and the heart are sore pressed. I want to be purged of the things which displease my Lord and today the gentle rebuke, not one full verse into my morning reading, has been a great help. Had I intentionally been seeking verses to soothe my heart, I would not have turned to Numbers but that was exactly what I needed. Thank you Father for your kind attention to a complaining child.
