Reading Numbers 11, I’m reminded of the Prayer of Recollection from yesterday. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:7. The people forgot all the good that God had done for them. When we forget we complain. Isn’t how that works for you? It does for me. It did for the people then, too. As we read Scripture we are reading what has already been. Their hearts and actions are past tense; and are revealed for us to learn from. Our lives are still being lived.

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused/ The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! v. 1, 4.

They forgot all that God had done for them. They forgot the good. It got so bad that even Moses complained. The difference was that Moses took his complaint directly to God instead of complaining among other people. But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?” The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” v. 21-23.

The people learned the hard way what their complaining did to them. Fire burned among them and Moses had to pray for the fire to be died down (v. 1-3); a severe plague overtook the people along with the quail they demanded (v. 31-34). How do you think the people felt then? I can’t help but wonder.

This morning in prayer as I was giving thanks for a beautiful new day with Him, I was bringing to mind our family I am so thankful for and I realized there are many who don’t have family. As I thought of the abundance I have in a home and possessions in that home, I realized there are many who don’t have such abundance. I realized that even if I didn’t have family, or a home, I still have life. I have a life. We each of us have been given a life. Individually each one of us has an opportunity to live a life with God. Can we grasp the tremendous blessing of a life given?

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young this morning: This is the day that I have made! As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training. Walk with Me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you. To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I have made, for I am your steadfast companion. Psalm 118:24; Psalm 116:17; Psalm 118:28.

Excerpts from Hearing God by Dallas Willard this morning: Our own human spirit is still another means through which God addresses us. Within our thoughts and feelings, we hear the “still, small voice” of God, an active “energy, which so powerfully works in me.” One’s own spirit can then work together with the Almighty God, using one’s thoughts and feelings to bring the truth of his word and his understanding to bear upon one’s heart, life and world. Reflect: Think about the idea that God speaks in the form of your thoughts, yet these thoughts are in a sense not yours because they do not originate from you. How do such God-originated thoughts differ from your usual way of thinking? How do these God-originated thoughts reflect God’s personality instead? (To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:29).

God directed Moses to choose 70 of Israel’s elders who were known as leaders among the people so He could put some of His Spirit on them to share the burden of the people which was great and so that Moses wouldn’t have to carry that burden alone v. 16-17. When two of those chosen men began to prophesy Joshua wanted Moses to stop them v. 26-28. And Moses’ response to Joshua? “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them! v. 29.

We have the opportunity today that Moses longed for in the people then. We have the opportunity to read Scripture…all of Scripture…and draw near to God in this our life He gave us. We have the opportunity to hear His “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13) speaking to our thoughts and hearts. We have the opportunity to read devotionals written by people who longed to share God’s love for us. We each one of us have the opportunity to give thanks to God and bring to remembrance all the ways He has been so good to us and live lives aware and longing for Him. We can join our lives to Him in grateful love and find in doing that that we don’t want to complain anymore about anything because nothing is more important in this life than our life with Him.

This is your one life…Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8. Draw near to God with a grateful heart, and His Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace. He’s here where He has always been and will always be. Where are you?