Yearn To Be Content

“The mixt multitude” (v. 4), who were non-Jews that came out of Egypt alongside the children of Israel (Ex 12:38), joined the crowd in complaining to Moses about their food. The phrase “our soul is dried away” signifies their extreme desire for other food (v. 5). Because “there is nothing at all, beside this manna,” which “the Lord hath given them to eat” (Ex 16:15). Even though it was the perfect food from heaven that would sustain them during their wilderness journey (Ps 78:25). God also protected them with a cloudy pillar by day; “and in the night by a pillar of fire” (Neh 9:12). But they still lacked contentment (1 Tim 6:8)! We often have a tendency to take things for granted by giving too little regard for the blessings that we already have and by magnifying the things that we yearn for (Prov 15:17).

Discontentment and constant complaining will always trouble the Christian life (1 Cor 10:10). It is a distraction to our relationship with the Lord (Mt 6:34). We must never covet anything that God has not provided for us (Ex 20:17). We simply need to learn “to be content” (Php 4:11)! The children of Israel were frustrated because their expectations were not being met. They were seeking a prosperous life with their own “fields and vineyards” (Num 16:14). Therefore, they murmured continually (Num 14:2).

They forgot that the reason for their 40-year wilderness wanderings was their own disobedience to God (Num 14:34). As God’s children, we know that “God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labour of love” (Heb 6:10). But somehow, we try to anticipate what God should be doing for us. When we do, we will just end up disappointed, bitter, and even quit! We must remember that God does not owe us anything (Php 2:13). We are merely blinded by our selfish desires that we cannot see how good God has been to us. And His amazing grace is always “sufficient” (2 Cor 12:9)! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera