February 15, Day 46 – Grumbling Dishonors God

Exodus 15-16;

Psalm 21:8-13; Matthew 28

"A Classmate, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper

Today’s readings reveal how God is ever-present with us, and how He watches over us, protects us, and provides for us, although we notice both praises and grumbling.  In Exodus 15, we read the Song of Moses and Miriam – a song they sang unto the LORD.  Beginning with the LORD’s exaltation for “hurling the horse and the rider into the sea” (verse 1), this song captures and describes some of the historical events of the exodus.  The song serves to praise God – for being our God – and for His strength and salvation to His people during their removal from Egypt.  “The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name” (verse 3).  These realizations are consistent with what Moses told the people earlier: “He will fight for us” (cf., Exodus 14:14).  “The LORD brought the waters of the sea back over Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen” (verse 19).  A recent video documented several explorations in the Red Sea where archeologists have discovered evidence of coral-encrusted chariot axles and wheels – likely – from the exodus.  Further in this chapter, we see the Israelites moving through the desert and coming to the bitter waters of Marah.  The Lord shows Moses a piece of wood – thrown into the waters – to make them sweet.  This is a picture of the power of Christ’s cross that overcomes the bitterness of sin in our lives.  His cross can make our lives “sweet.”  In Exodus 16, the Israelites make the statement about longing to return to Egypt: “There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted …” (verse 3).  Really?  Was life in Egypt so luxurious?  How quickly and easily these Israelites have forgotten their bondage!  And think of all their grumbling!  From these accounts, may we learn some important lessons about “never:” [1] Never forget God’s saving and redeeming mercy; [2] never “long to return to Egypt;” and [3] never grumble.  Grumbling dishonors God, and it is not good for us.  I am so thankful that God is patient with us!

In Psalm 21:8-13, we see God’s sovereign authority in that no enemy of God can oppose Him.  He makes them to be “like a fiery furnace and swallows them up” (verse 9), and He “destroys their descendants from the earth” (verse 10); “they cannot succeed” (verse 11). This is an awesome Psalm that expresses the strength and might of our God from beginning to end (cf., verses 1 and 13).

Now we come to Matthew 28 – the last chapter of this book.  Here again, we see God’s power in the resurrection of His Son, and although it was accompanied by an earthquake, as we said yesterday – nothing could stop it.  Nothing – certainly not man’s security measures – could keep Christ confined to death or to the grave.  At the mere appearance of an angel, the rough and tough Roman guards were filled with fear – “so afraid that they shook and became like dead men” (verse 4), but the angel’s news filled the women’s tender hearts and ears with joy.  The book of Matthew closes with Christ giving us His Great Commission.  We note that our commission is based on His authority  – “all authority” – which was “given” to Him.  We are authorized to be His witnesses.  Personally, I am grateful and especially comforted that Jesus, in His great commission, promises to be with us to the end of the age.  That has meant a lot to me during these past several years.  I pray that we may always express our gratitude to God for His presence among us.