February 5
Exodus 13:1-15:27
Even before children can talk, they become experts at whining. Sadly, this quickly acquired skill is never unlearned. We grow older, but our whining and complaining skills often only increase. After being freed from slavery, it is not long until the Israelites begin to whine and complain. They go so far as to ask God to allow them to go back to slavery in Egypt, rather than remain in freedom in the desert. How short sighted and ungrateful they are. Yet God in his grace continues to intervene on their behalf and causes the Red Sea to part so they can walk through. God shockingly responds to complaining with grace. Their whining attitude is met with love and salvation. This time the Israelites stop (for a moment) and acknowledge what God has done. They are led by Moses and Miriam in songs of praise. Rather than grumbling, they sing of God's grace, deliverance, power and salvation.
This response is what is appropriate for all of God's abundant blessings—songs of praise flowing from our lips. Sadly, we are often like the Israelites who, after their songs of praise, immediately return to complaining when a few days pass without fresh water. We must learn to build the habit of thankfulness and praise, otherwise without training, we will walk in grumbling, complaining, and self-centeredness.
Father God, I confess that I struggle with a heart of ingratitude, help me to instead respond with thanks. Amen.
How can you build a more consistent pattern of praise and thanks into your life?
Even before children can talk, they become experts at whining. Sadly, this quickly acquired skill is never unlearned. We grow older, but our whining and complaining skills often only increase. After being freed from slavery, it is not long until the Israelites begin to whine and complain. They go so far as to ask God to allow them to go back to slavery in Egypt, rather than remain in freedom in the desert. How short sighted and ungrateful they are. Yet God in his grace continues to intervene on their behalf and causes the Red Sea to part so they can walk through. God shockingly responds to complaining with grace. Their whining attitude is met with love and salvation. This time the Israelites stop (for a moment) and acknowledge what God has done. They are led by Moses and Miriam in songs of praise. Rather than grumbling, they sing of God's grace, deliverance, power and salvation.
This response is what is appropriate for all of God's abundant blessings—songs of praise flowing from our lips. Sadly, we are often like the Israelites who, after their songs of praise, immediately return to complaining when a few days pass without fresh water. We must learn to build the habit of thankfulness and praise, otherwise without training, we will walk in grumbling, complaining, and self-centeredness.
Father God, I confess that I struggle with a heart of ingratitude, help me to instead respond with thanks. Amen.
How can you build a more consistent pattern of praise and thanks into your life?
Recent
Archive
2025
January
January 1January 2January 3January 4January 5January 6January 7January 8January 9January 10January 11January 12January 13January 14January 15January 16January 17January 18January 19January 20January 21January 22January 23January 24January 25January 26January 27January 28January 29January 30January 31
2024
June
Categories
no categories
No Comments