Vaccinate from Virus of Grumbling

[S] Matthew 20:11,15 --
11 When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner,
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'

[O] Especially during this season of Thanksgiving this passage highlighted the criticality of how grumbling can steal away the spirit of thanksgiving and replace with jealousy instead.  I recall the whole theme during the time of Moses leading God's people through the wilderness for 40 years.  The grumbling never ceased among them which became the root cause for their wandering and delaying His promises to be fulfilled.

[A] Before I start counting my blessings, I must vaccinate myself from the virus of grumbling because it will so quickly nullify the blessings into the downward spiral of envy and jealousy.  Identify areas my heart is grumbling and surrender them all at Jesus' feet.

[P] Dear God, I want to have my heart filled with thanksgiving leaving no room for grumbling.  Please continue to fill me with Your Spirit so I may be filled with giving thanksgiving for all the blessings showered upon me.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Shut In by the Wilderness

[S] Exodus 14:3,11 --
 ³"For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' 
 ¹¹Then they said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?

[O] The wilderness hardened Pharaoh's heart but the people's hearts were hardened also and began to grumble with fear from the wilderness in front of them while chasing Egyptians were coming from behind.  The situation is such that there is no way out for them.  Trapped.  But seriously, does grumbling in such a situation help?  No.  Wishing they were elsewhere does not help either.  However, we so easily get into the mode of thinking we can get ourselves out of it by complaining and grumbling.  When we are up against impossible situations and all of our attention is on the obstacle itself, the fear drives us to blaming rather than seeking God for His salvation.  Pharaoh on the other hand sees this as an opportunity to take advantage of and makes the chase to overtake the Israelites because he thought for sure they are trapped by the wilderness.

[A] It is almost as if God intentionally puts us up against some impossible obstacles to remind us that He is indeed bigger than any "impossible" circumstance we find ourselves in.  That is no matter how discouraging or fearful a situation I find myself up against, I need to put my trust in God who is bigger than any of them and can overcome with mighty powers just like how He led the Israelites through the parting Red Sea on dry ground.

[P] Dear Father, forgive me for restricting Your power with my little brain when Your power is amazingly powerful way beyond what I can grasp.  Whenever I'm against the "impossible" wilderness, may I turn to You and trust You that You can deliver me from such a situation much like what Daniel's three friends said in Daniel 3:18 -- But even if He does not -- I will not fall away from following Your ways and truth.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.