Murmur: June 14, 2010

Today's Word for Monday June 14, 2010

MURMUR

DEFINITION

A low indistinct sound; a subdued hum; a muttered complaint.

SCRIPTURE

"And all the children of Israel complained (muttered) against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, 'If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!' " Numbers 14:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Murmuring or muttering complaints is the outward expression of inner obstinacy and rebellion. It most likely is something every one of us has been guilty of at sometime in our life.

We can remember as children when our parents gave us something to do and we really did not want to do it. As we walked off to do what we were told to do we would be mumbling or murmuring our unhappiness - basically complaining. That usually did not go over with our parents and only got us into deeper trouble. Our parents would usually clearly restate their request and ask if we fully understood what they expected us to accomplish. Of course we would always respond favorably but probably not overjoyed.

Years later the situation was reversed. We were the parents having to deal with the obstinacy and rebellion of our children when they did not want to do what they were told and they would go away murmuring as to how hard they were being done to. They soon learned, as we had, that their murmuring and complaining got them nowhere. We have no doubt our children are experiencing the same murmuring from their children and no doubt they are responding the same.

In the verse above from Numbers in the Old Testament, we read about the Children of Israel murmuring against their leaders, Moses and Aaron. They had become fearful of going into the Promised Land to conquer it as the Lord wanted them to do.

Twelve spies had been sent into spy out the land. Ten of the spies had aroused fear in the people by reporting that the Canaanites were too powerful to be conquered. Joshua and Caleb were the only two of the twelve spies who remained strong in their faith and took a stand against the other spies. After all the years of hardships wandering through the wilderness, the Children of Israel were tired of waiting so they began to not only just murmur but to loudly complain. It was Joshua that God then used to speak out against the murmuring. Joshua told the congregation of Israelites that the land was good. Joshua said this "If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey."

Joshua begged them to trust the Lord, but the congregation continued to rebel and talked about stoning Caleb and Joshua. Moses cried out to God for deliverance for his people. God was ready to wipe them out but because of the prayer of Moses God forgave the children of Israel for their rebelliousness and constant murmuring. Nevertheless they did pay a price for their sinful complaining. God told them that they would wander in the desert for 40 years and no one but Joshua and Caleb and those under 20 would enter the Promised Land.

There are murmurers among Christians today just like the children of Israel. They complain about everything and blame God for all that goes wrong. God is not the problem. We are the problem. We are obstinate and rebellious. We only want to do what we want to do and in our own way. We leave God out and then when we fail we ask God - WHY?

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

PRAYER

Lord, enable me to be obedient to You and do what You want me to do without murmuring and complaining. Forgive me of those times when I have been obstinate and rebellious and murmured against You. Help me to do willingly and cheerfully whatever You give me to do.