By Lois Hewitt

As I am reading the Book of Numbers, my heart lays heavy.

In Numbers we are told of God rescuing the Isrealites from their oppression in Egypt.  God was to bring them to the land of milk and honey, and beautiful pastures and so much more.

But the people began to grumble that it was taking too long and they were sick of eating manna.  They thought they would be better off back under the oppression of Egypt.

As I read this account, I thought of how ignorant the people were to not trust God.  He performed miracles and provided for them and they still doubted.

How ignorant…wait a minute.  I, too, have seen God’s hand pull me from the fires of oppression and addiction.  I, too, have seen God’s power in my life. Yet I always seem to have a prayer need.  Yet His provisions in my life are abundant.  Yet I still grumble. How ignorant am I?

I am no better than the Israelites in the desert. They didn’t like this or that.  They were fearful of taking the land.  They thought oppression would be better.

Many times in my life I felt like what I left had been better than where I was or where I was going. Many times I slipped back into the place I left, only to find how wrong I was.  The good old days are truly not always so good.

Oh how I detest my humaness. I am given salvation, an eternity with Him and those things I need here and yet I still grumble.

I am guessing that is the human condition. Is nothing ever good enough?  Does the feeling of entitlement ever run dry? 

I am blessed in so many ways, why would I ever grumble?  I do though and without justification. 

It was a good lesson for me to read the story of the Israelites. As I judged them so harshly, I realized that I carry the same afflictions of discontent and entitlement. 

I used to think the Old Testament did not have any relevance in today’s world.  But today I saw myself in the pages of God’s word. My hope is to be better starting today.

There shall be no room for grumbling about the things I do not like. God has forever changed me through nothing short of a miracle, doubt and fear have no place in my life.

The land of milk and honey is here, you just have to see and appreciate it even in the desert times.  There is more of it to come too.  So I will stay tuned for more of God’s perfect love whether I am in the desert or in the land flowing with milk and honey.