Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
Numbers 11:1
In Numbers 11, we get to see the first of many complaints the Israelites make to the Lord.
In Numbers11:1-3, we see them complain about the hardships of their new lifestyle. This angers the Lord and he sends fire to burn a part of the camp.
In Numbers 11:4-6, we see them complain about their food. Since they left Egypt, all they’ve been eating is manna. They were craving other food, especially meat. So God says they’ll eat so much meat in the next month, they’ll be sick of it (Numbers 11:18-20). Of course, all this complaining also angers the Lord and He strikes them with a plague before they can even eat the meat (Numbers 11:31-34).
When the Israelites were complaining, they were basically insulting God. They said they would rather be back in Egypt (Numbers 11:5, 11:18, 11:20). This is them going against God’s plan.
God has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 1:9). There’s not guarantee that the plan is easy (James 1:2-4). But you must know that the Lord is with you throughout the difficult times (Isaiah 41:10) and he will provide all that you need (Philippians 4:19).
It’s actually through the difficult times where our faith grows (James 1:2-4). It is in these difficult times force us to rely on God (though we should be relying on God all the time) and this reliance on God causes our faith in God to grow.
So what should we do when we are in difficult times? Rejoice, pray, and be thankful. (Philippians 4:4-7).
In Acts 16:16-38, Paul and Silas were thrown in prison for preaching the gospel. Before they got there, they were flogged. Paul and Silas didn’t complain to God. Instead, they stated praying and singing hymns to God. (Acts 16:25). God then got them out of the terrible situation and used that situation for His glory.
God loves you and He will always provide for you. You do not need to worry. If you are in a difficult situation, ask God for help and He will help you. Just don’t complain to Him about the situation.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10