Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. So the name of that place was called Taberah, (meaning burning) because the fire of the Lord burned among them.
Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.
– Numbers 11:1-6
Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.”
– Numbers 11:10-15
Devotion
The people of Israel were prone to complain. Even though these people had witnessed the supernatural work of the LORD, were freed from bondage, brought out of Egypt, and continually provided for with manna in the wilderness, this was not enough for them. The people desired to be back in slavery and bondage, missing the mighty work that God was doing among them. Because of this, the anger of the LORD broke out against the camp, only being quenched when Moses prayed to the LORD.
During this time, even one of the greatest of leaders, Moses, became frustrated. In light of the amazing things that God had done, the people were still not satisfied, and their constant complaining greatly displeased Moses. Moses felt the pressure of caring for the Israelite people and that their very existence, even their happiness was his burden to carry.
The Big Question
Do you find yourself complaining often, or do you feel burdened that the load is too heavy to bear? In what way can you change your attitude to see the good that God has done in your life? Do you submit your frustrations and burdens to God and ask Him for assistance, or do you try to bear the burdens yourself?
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.