And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Numbers 11:1 KJV
Someone who cannot control their emotions is said to be having a “temper tantrum”.
It is their way of complaining.
They are frustrated because things are not going the way they want it to go.
We normally attribute them to children, but adults have them too.
In this verse, it is telling us that this emotion is out of character for the children of God.
This is what was happening to the Israelites.
They had been delivered from being prisoners in Egypt.
They were experiencing God’s continued care for them.
Daily being nourished spiritually with manna from Heaven.
But that was not enough.
They had become weakened and distressed by their difficult wanderings in the wilderness.
They were becoming ungrateful and throwing temper tantrums.
When the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled.
He had done so much for them by bringing them out of Egypt.
He was providing for their needs.
They were doing too much complaining.
They were committing sins.
He felt it was time for severe punishment.
The same happens to us.
We fail to appreciate all that, the Lord has done for us.
We begin to go against His Word.
That is when the Lord finds the need to punish us when we begin to go against the Word.
It is an unfortunate mistake when we set out to follow the Lord but begin to feel like He is not providing for us.
We need to stop complaining about what we think we should have.
Complaining gives way to sin.
Sin causes the heart to go against all that the Lord is doing for us.
We need to spend more time counting the many blessings He has bestowed on us.
He has brought us through many things.
Things that would cause us more harm than good.
He didn’t have to do it, but He did.
All because He loves and cares about us.
Being grateful that He continues to bless us daily is one way to show that we appreciate it.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Savior, we know there are times when we need to check ourselves. It is not good for us to have a spirit that is always finding something to quarrel or fret about. You supply all our needs, and all our complaining only makes matters worse. Forgive us for causing You grief and pain. For making You mad with us. We should be finding joy and praising You for all You have done.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen