How Quickly We Forget

The Israelites have been delivered from slavery in Egypt. They have witnessed the amazing power of God as he sent the plagues to Egypt. Locusts, frogs, darkness, the river to blood. The Red Sea miracle has recently taken place. The Israelites have been given the hope of life in Canaan, the Promised Land. They are being visibly led by God, a pillar of cloud in the day, a pillar of fire at night. They have, no doubt, seen the goodness and power of God.

But, three days after the miracle at the Red Sea, the people lose sight of the Deliverer.

Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. Exodus 15:22-25

Complaining, God provided.

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water. Exodus 15:27

After leaving lush Elim and the twelve springs of water, they arrive at the wilderness of Sin.

And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Exodus 16:2,3

More complaining, God provided. Then, days later…

Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” Exodus 17:2,3

More complaining, God provided.

Over and over on during the journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, we see an emotional roller coaster. When the journey gets difficult or not as they expected, the complaining starts. They “grumbled” and “quarreled” against Moses, the one who had seemingly risked everything, depending and trusting God, to deliver the people from Egypt. The Israelites quickly forgot what slavery in Egypt was like, that they were headed to the Promised Land, and that God was in control. From slavery in Egypt through their journey, the picture is one of grumbling and complaining, then begging for deliverance.

Does this picture sound familiar?

Inevitably, God has been good. Even today, he deliverers, rescues, and rains blessings. The blessings are quickly forgotten, and they never seem to satisfy. There is always a hunger for more, the soul is never quenched. And, the things of the world will not quench the thirst – money, material positions, jobs, ministries, relationships, etc. There seems to always be self-defined “needs.” The by-product is just like the Israelites – complaining, grumbling, demanding. Comparisons to others drive the negative momentum. Changes are demanded, as the situation isn’t fair. How quickly we forget the blessings that God has given.

But, find that person that has the great attitude. The one that is gracious in every situation. The one that recognizes the blessings they have received versus comparing themselves to others. The one that seems to find joy no matter the situation. The one that always sees the good in others and their surroundings. This individual stands out as a light in a dark world. They let their light shine, and light is always clearly seen in a world of darkness.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

We are all prone to complaining, grumbling, negativity. But, God is always good. He was good to the Israelites, and He is good to us. He does indeed deliver. He doesn’t promise that the road is easy, nor is it meant to be. If it was, we would miss the gift of perseverance. God only promises that He is with us every step of the way (Matthew 28:20).

“The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.” Charles Swindoll

Take a moment and thank God for the blessings that abound in your life, those blessings that we have quickly forgotten. This action immediately gives us an attitude of graciousness.

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