How many times do you complain? How many times do you argue over the smallest of things? Have you had a true need and not know where to turn? Have you experienced having little or no faith your situation would be resolved? Have sat quietly and trusted God to provide?
Our culture has become a culture of complaint. We complain about nearly everything under the sun. We complain about aches and pains. We complain about decisions of others that have nothing to do with us. We complain about our jobs. We complain about the state of our country.
The Israelites complained to Moses. They moaned and groaned and pleaded with him to give water to drink. Now, water is a necessity. Without it, we won’t live long. However, it appears their complaining was not merely asking Moses for it, but they were whining and sniveling and being obnoxious about it. Moses being their leader, they thought he could or should provide it.
How many times do we go to a leader for something we think they should provide? Perhaps we should ask if it is a necessity or a nice to have. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we can take care of it ourselves. Leaders are inundated with complaints. Sometimes those complaints turn into sniveling and whining. In some cases, the individual knows the answer, knows they can provide for themselves, and still comes to the leader. They want someone else to do it for them.
Our first response should be to ask God. Asking God and trusting him is always the best approach. That doesn’t mean that we may not need to seek counsel from a leader or ask their input. It does mean that we need to take some personal responsibility for ourselves. We also need to trust God to be our provider.
I pray we all go to God in prayer, asking him to provide for our needs. I pray we trust God will provide. I pray each one of us will take personal responsibility and seek leaders only when needed. Ask God to provide. Trust God will provide. Take personal responsibility.
Exodus 17:2 The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”
Marty Pressey 