Baptist City Blog

When you read about the journeys of the children of Israel, you can empathize with Moses as he constantly dealt with their foolishness and murmurings. 

There is little doubt that the one thing that weighed on Moses spirit the most was their murmurings. These people murmured from the time that he started leading them in the land of Egypt all the way to the death of Aaron. In the verse above, you can see the pressure Moses was under when he “cried unto the LORD.” The murmurings of these people weighed on him so heavily that at one point he lost his temper and disobeyed God’s command so that he could prove a point to the people.

What is the reason these people murmured so much? I believe the reason was their shortsightedness. They quickly forgot what the LORD had done for them and only focused on the immediate. They depended on man to supply all their need instead of going to the same God to Whom Moses went to get their needs supplied. Their shortsightedness was a result of their lack of faith. There are several lessons you can learn from the murmurings of these people.

First, your murmurings are a result of shortsighted living. If you stop focusing on the immediate, you will see that God has always provided in the past. The only reason a person can't see God’s faithful provision from the past is because they are living in the temporal. My friend, before you ever start murmuring, stop and remember all that the LORD has done for you in the past. Remember how you thought you were not going to make it and how God came through just at the right time. The same God Who came through at the right time in the past can and will come through for you in the present if you will be patient.

Second, murmuring is shortsighted trust. The only reason a person murmurs is because they believe man is supposed to supply the need. The last time I checked, the Scriptures teach that God supplies our need. Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Do you think that your leader doesn't want what you want? Do you think that your leader enjoys seeing you not having what you think you need? Christian, what you don't understand is that your shortsighted faith in man is discouraging your leader. They want you to enjoy what you have, but every time you complain to them you weary them. It is another load that they are going to have to carry because your faith is shortsighted.

Third, prayer is the answer to shortsighted faith. Your leader can only get what you need by going to God in prayer. In the verse above, Moses went to God the same way the people could have if they were not shortsighted. Let me remind you of 1 Peter 5:7 which says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Let me also remind you of Hebrews 4:16 which says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” God is the answer to your need; not murmuring and complaining to your leader.

My friend, just like the song says, “I must tell Jesus,” you must tell Him your needs. Don't be a shortsighted Christian. Don't let your faith be placed in man. If you keep your faith focused on Jesus Christ, you will keep yourself from murmuring and having a shortsighted faith.