Numbers 21:5 "...they complained "There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!"
Last night at prayer group, Bob and Theresa shared a story of their son Nick who is a missionary in Honduras. A few days ago, Nick and others noticed something bobbing in the water not far offshore. They paddled out to it in their kayaks and discovered it was a 16 foot boat filled with over 20 Cuban refugees, including one pregnant woman. They had been adrift for 14 days and hadn't eaten in 4 days. Nick and his companions rescued them with their kayaks. As Bob relayed the story to me he mentioned that the moment these refugees are all in the boat and off the shore of Cuba is the happiest for them. Imagine that! They fill their entire family into a tiny boat, push out to a dangerous sea, and it's at that moment they are the most excited, joyous and happy! It puts things into perspective. And perspective is what the Israelites needed in Numbers 21. They sound like my kids complaining about what's for dinner. Did they not realize that God had just rescued them from slavery and oppression. Did they not realize the God of the universe was guiding them and right along side them day and night providing for them? Did they not realize that he was leading them to the promise land and would prosper them and bless them? Apparently they didn't. So the snakes came. How do I compare? How do I compare to these Israelites, those Cubans or my kids at dinner? Am I grateful? Am I appreciative? Do I realize and see God's blessings in my life?
