Not long after the Israelites leave Sinai and enter the wilderness, they begin complaining about their hardships. The same pattern repeats: the Israelites complain and God forgives them but they still do not learn their lesson. - P54
They grumble, not just because of the road’s difficulties, but out of unbelief. - P54
Yet God restrains His wrath at Moses’s prayer and gives the people another chance to place their trust in Him. - P54
When we enter a new phase of life, our initial excitement often fades fast, and we forget the blessings God gave us when He opened new doors. - P54
Let us keep our eyes open to the amazing plans God has ahead and keep our hearts from complaining. - P54
When we pay undue attention to the desires of our old, sinful nature, we fall into greed. - P54
Our old nature will seek to romanticize our past life of sin, using dissatisfactions that stem from past memories, present struggles, or simply our own weaknesses. Either way, greed only grows stronger when we indulge in it, and leads us to reject God and the good things He gives us.
- P54
"The cross before me, the world behind me; no turning back, no turning back."
- Simon Marak - P54
Lord Jesus, my passion for You can be so short-lived. Forgive me for all the times I complain about the discomfort and difficulties I encounter while following You. You are my Savior, my deliverer, and my greatest good. In Your name, amen. - P55
Moses is overwhelmed by the Israelites‘ complaints and expresses his frustra-tion to God. God responds by promising to give the people meat for a monthuntil it becomes loathsome to them. He also instructs Moses to gather seventyelders to share the burden of leadership. - P57
Many missionaries wrestle with the fear of seeing no fruit despite their hardwork. This week, I spoke with a missionary who felt deeply discouraged forthis very reason. But even if we do not see the fruits we expect when weexpect them, God is still at work. This is true not only for missionaries butfor all Christians striving to live out their calling. - P59
We will face challengesthat may discourage us, but we can be confident that God will bring ourefforts to fruition. He will accomplish this, not by our strength, but byHis power. - P59
With this faith, we can continue to move forward despite theresistance we encounter. - P59
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