2023_03_31 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- Exodus 15, 1 Corinthians 5, Psalm 78, Jude
“Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses saying, “What are we to drink?”’ Exodus 15:22-24
The Israelites had just been a part of one the most astounding, jaw-dropping miracles recorded in the bible. God drove back the waters of the Red Sea with a strong east wind that blew all night. The deep sea turned into dry land, allowing the Israelites to cross and the Egyptians to perish. God had protected Israel in ways that only His mighty hand could. But after praising God for this miracle, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 3 days while looking for water. The Israelites quickly forgot God’s provision, and they grumbled.
I’m not immune to grumbling, and maybe you can relate. I can grumble about what I have to do, about someone else’s behavior, or if something is fair. Internally, grumbling keeps me wrapped up in myself and distracts me from what is important. When spoken out loud, grumbling destroys communities. It is difficult to hear God’s voice throughout the day if my mind is focused on complaint.
How is your thought life? It’s possible that grumbling is so ingrained in us that it’s hard to recognize, but it is present when we compare ourselves to others, are envious, or are jealous. We can also see it when we have persistent negative thoughts about ourselves, others, or a situation we are involved in.
If any of this sounds familiar to you, it is possible to have some different thoughts and be open to God’s Holy Spirit to change us. Here are some practical prayer points:
- Listen to your thoughts, and be honest with God about how you feel.
- Pray for yourself and ask for some insight into the other person or situation. Ask for the grace to change your perspective.
- Ask God what does He want you to learn through this? Thank God for the opportunity to grow!
Laying down our own will for the sake of another is hard and can feel painful, but it is a hallmark of humility. May we let Jesus change us so we will look increasingly different from the rest of the world and look more like Him.
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead