What’s that grumbling? It could be your stomach, but it is more likely the sound coming from someone who is around you. People can be difficult, and complain a lot. Perhaps you are surrounded by many “grumblers”. What are you to do?
Moses was surrounded by many who grumbled, even though he was doing all that He could to lead them in God’s ways.
Exodus 17 tells us the account:
The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” 3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” 4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
Now there is some grumbling! They were all over Moses about things he could not control. Where is the water? Why did you bring us here? I think Moses’ grumble meter was full. His life was in danger. The text says that he “cried out to the Lord”.
So what are we to do when we are surrounded by so many grumblers? I think there are two important things we can learn from Moses. First, we are not to keep our burdens in. Go and tell the Lord what you are shouldering. Speak plainly. Lay it out. The Lord knew what was going on with Moses and the people, but you don’t see Moses starting his prayer with, ‘Lord, you know what is going on….” No, he speaks from the heart. He “informs” God. How important this is. For us as well this means we should let it out. Ask God to help us with your burdens.
Second, we learn that God is a God of help. Water was missing. Water was provided, and in a way that made Moses look like the man!
I know that being around difficult people day in and day out can be a struggle. Sometimes it seems their problems will never cease, and just when they seem to run out of troubles, they bring up new ones! Before you know it, their burdens have become your burden, and life looks dark and difficult. Perhaps we become the ones ready to cry out, “Lord, what am I to do with these people?”
I say, cry away. Don’t miss one drop of emotion when talking to God. Pray that he will help you to empty the well of discouragement and give you a path forward, for you and all the grumblers who surround you.
What are the alternatives if we don’t let God carry our burden? We become overwhelmed? We feel like things are hopeless. We bury our head in the sand (very gritty, and it gets all in your teeth). Guess what happens then. You become the grumbler. Not good.
Of course, you can share your burdens with others. God’s word tells us to carry each other’s burdens. We can’t get help if no one knows we are struggling. Yet, it seems the first stop to unload our heavy weights is God Himself. He is ready to meet with you. What, you don’t have time? You are too tired? You have to go somewhere? Dinner has to be cooked?
Is that grumbling I hear…….?
For Jesus,
Rob