Complaining Time

“In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. ¹⁴When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground.”  Exodus 16:13-14

I am reminded that we need to rely on God for the daily substance God can provide.  This passage from Exodus takes place in that lonely location simply known as “the wilderness”.  The Israelites having been released from their captivity in Egypt, get to this point of frustration and, while in the midst of a wandering and without the basic things they need, begin to realize that even their former role of slavery starts to look attractive.  They start bellyaching and complaining, giving Moses and Aaron an earful about their plight, their discomfort and their unsettled reality.  And as their leaders pass along their complaint to the Lord, an interesting thing happens.  The Lord responds in-kind, with this daily nourishment from the sky.

            It’s not completely unheard of in scripture, yet also not very common, for God to change His mind and be influenced by His people when they are in a jam.  Yet here, God provides the daily provision for their needs, assuaging their mood and giving them both a lesson and nourishment.  They need to eat if they are to survive, and they also need to lean on God each day to do the same.  We know that this flaky substance was called ‘manna’.  The Hebrew translation of the word is “What is it?”   It is given a name out of the peoples’ confusion and complaining.  Ultimately, it is a mystery.  It is part of the unknown, just as their present state and their immediate future remain unknown.

            What do you do in a wilderness time?  Is it common to start complaining, to find that in the place of unknowing there is great trust or great doubt?  I think it is expected that in the times of transition and in-between that grumbling is a natural matter of course.  There is change and uncertainty, and there is discomfort that accompanies this.  But what God shows is that it is all the more important to trust, rely and lean on the daily provision God wants to offer.  Our prayers should become more frequent and of a deeper nature.  Our conversations with God and one another should be more thoughtful and sincere—and our listening for the leading of the Spirit should be heightened.

            We are challenged, I think, in this interim time, to be patient and listening.  There are lots of people doing lots of preparation work, through the Session, through the ministry areas, through the ongoing mission and outreach of our congregation.  Much of it is an evaluation of our present state, and going forward it will involve the congregation’s participation and input into the process.  Remember that each day we must trust God’s provision to move us into the next.  I am praying for all of you as we look ahead.        

Peace, Love, Hope and Joy,  Tim