INTRODUCTION

The Lord detests murmuring. The Lord hates it so much that He sent fire among the Israelites for doing so (Numbers 11:1And 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.
See All...). In the New Testament, the Lord warned believers to avoid falling prey to the same sin as the Israelites (1 Corinthians 10:1-14 [1] Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; [2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; [3] And did all eat the same spiritual meat; [4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. [6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. [9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. [12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. [13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. [14] Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
See All...). In addition to this, New Testament believers are admonished to do all things without murmurings (Philippians 2:14-16 [14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. [15] Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
See All...). Perhaps the reason the Lord so greatly abhors murmuring is that it directly insults His working and provision in our lives. People murmur because they do not like the events in their lives, and yet, ultimately God either directly or indirectly brought those events to pass.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) God promised His people a new land. Yet they chose to believe that they could not overcome the walled cities and giants. They murmured in their tents (Numbers 14:1-2 [1] And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. [2] And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
  See All...). God despised their murmuring. Those that believed not died in the wilderness.
• Do you murmur? Do you murmur before others? What kind of a testimony do you think this gives to a world that needs to be saved? Does your murmuring please the Lord?
• What events come into your life without the Lord allowing them to occur? Who are you ultimately complaining against when you murmur?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you the serious nature of your murmurings.
• Ask the Lord to help you understand His hatred for murmuring.

HYMN

Yield Not to Temptation

LTB DEVOTIONS ON FACEBOOK

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.