Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 11:1a, where these sobering words are found:
"Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. . . . "There is an acceptable (even proper) way and time to "complain" to God (cf. Ps. 142:2); and then there is this unacceptable and improper way to do it, (as seen all throughout Num., ch. 11). The people "craved"; they wanted their way; they "wept all over" Moses; they insisted that they be granted their de-sires. God's answer was to give them exactly what they wanted, and then to kill many of them, (see vv. 33-34).
Let us be careful about what we earnestly long for; and of what we "demand" of God. In fact, what we want for ourselves may not be good for us. The "status quo," (viz. continuing to eat God's provision of His manna, [which is Jesus]), is a whole lot better than an early grave.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Hence we learn that a life of holiness is the most pleasant life in this world, because in such a life we have the imperfect be-ginnings of a blessed and endless sight of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Pure in Heart Blessed"]
