One moment, the Hebrews are singing about how good God is to them, and the next moment, they are complaining about life in the wilderness.
The provocation of the complaint was bitter water. God listened to the complaint, and then turned the water sweet with a stick which he instructed Moses to toss into the pond.
God saw and eize the opportunity to teach them an object lesson: "do what I instruct you, or else you are in danger of the wrath I inflicted on the Egyptians." And then to make his point, God led the Hebrews to a place of springs and palm trees - a spa of sorts, as a sign of good will.
Thus begins kindergarten for the Hebrews. So far, they have lived their lives under the watchful eye of a man with a whip - not much thinking required. If they were to ever become mature decision makers, they will have to be schooled. And all school begins with black and white lessons of right behaviour. They get a reward for doing what they are taught, and a slap on the wrist for stepping out of line. It's is lesson one, book one.
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you complained to God in your life? What was your experience of God's kindergarten?
in your life presently, what are your sources of complaint? What lessons is God teaching you?
Who do you know is complaining about hard circumstances?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about the ways he teaches you to think. Thank God for the God he hears your complaints.
Pray about the sources of complaints in your life presently. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to do what God instructs.
Pray for your friend who is complaining. Ask God to give you the opportunity to support your friend as they wait on God.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he teaches you, and the way he trains you and your friend to become mature.