Numbers 21:4b-5 But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
Ungratefulness leads to impatience and whining. Gratitude will accentuate our blessings and will dim the focus on lack. However ingratitude will make a person angry, acidic and astringent. They will question God, His Word and His promises. Their words will not be life but death and will open the door for the enemy to enter in and cause havoc. The impatient Israelites spoke against God and Moses but ultimately they brought a curse on themselves. Their self proclaimed curse invited fiery serpents into the camp and their repeated transgression displeased the Lord.
God had miraculously provided them with manna, the food of angels, (Psalm 78:25) in the wilderness, yet they called the “miracle manna”, ‘miserable food!’ Ingratitude made the Hebrew travelers grouchy and grumpy. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Numbers 21:8). Bronze reminded them of God’s wrath and judgement while the snake was a reminder of their ingratitude and unfaithfulness.
God will come through on time but those who are impatient and ungrateful become aggravated and indignant. God’s presence inhabits our praises whereas demons infest the ingratitude, indignant and the impatient.
Ungratefulness displeases Him:
1. Impatience: Wait for God’s time. Impatience will drive us to sin against God.
2. Ingratitude: Gratification of our wants will only give momentary happiness but gratitude keeps us happy and joyful always. Ingratitude is a vice but gratitude is a virtue.
3. Indignant: Ungratefulness stirs up anger and strife. Uncontrolled thoughts will flow as uncontrolled and indignant words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). It is important to be careful with our words when we are angry as our words become the entry for the demons to rightfully enter and cause havoc in our life.
Gratitude is a virtue, whereas ingratitude is a vice.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, give me eyes to see your goodness always and a mouth that praises you day and night. Amen.
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