Standing Still or Grumbling

Exodus 13-15 “Are you Standing  Still or Grumbling?”

These chapters remind us of the old western movies. First, we have the villains who wake up to their loss and ask themselves: “What in the world have we done?” Mounting their horses (ok chariots 🙂 ), they take off after them. Were ten plagues not enough? Guess again. So, God sends them another taste of His power and majesty. End of story; Israel is victorious, walking on dry ground, and the Egyptians are defeated as the river bed becomes quicksand.

While this is happening, what do we hear? Murmuring and grumbling to Moses as they see the approaching Egyptians. “Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt? Leave us alone?” Moses reminds them to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”  Victories are momentary to reveal where we put our trust.

Fast forward to just a short three days later and now we hear murmuring—grumbling again! Finding only a well of bitter water, they begin to grumble: “What can we drink?”  They had seen ten plagues and defeated enemies and they murmur/ grumble because they are thirsty! How like them we are. We fail to remember God’s power and presence in the past.  Also, we fail to trust that if God could defeat our enemy, he can provide sweet water in our present circumstances.  

Beloved, are you murmuring/grumbling OR standing still watching for God to work?