Learning To Think Biblically About Waiting

• Numbers 11:1-6, 18-23
• learning to wait for a better future
• Ps 27
• Ps 37
• Ps 130

When life isn’t going the way I planned…

1. I will choose gratitude, not grumbling (v 1-6, 18)
   • grumbling as “respectable sin”? NO! It’s not OK!
   • Ex 16:4
     • 1st showing of manna as test of their faithfulness/thankfulness
   • how do you respond to God when things don’t go the way you planned?
     • you need to bury your list of complaints and make list of thanksgiving…with forgiveness at the top!
   • Jn 6
     • remember that Jesus is our true manna
   • take grumbling seriously! don’t grumble because…
     1. Grumbling reaches God (v18)
        • nothing escapes His presence, regardless of internalized or verbalized murmurs
     2. Grumbling angers God
        • v1: fire consumed; v10: anger blazed hotly
        • why would you want to do things to anger God?
     3. Grumbling moves God to act on anger
        • consequences to God’s anger
          • He will provide the very things you are grumbling about (v12)
        • grumbling is an exhibition of our pride that we think we know better than God
     4. Grumbling questions God
        • complaining isn’t simply complaining
          • there is an underlying disbelief over what God says/does
2. I will choose trust, not doubt (v18-23)
   • your grumbling removes God’s wisdom, promises, power…
   • remain steadfast in trusting in His goodness
     • you need not doubt His goodness!
     • you need not doubt His power!
       • how quickly do we forget that God has power to provide?
       • remember His great acts of power and fulfilled promises to you and our forefathers!
       • do not be confused in thinking God will do what you want if you believe in it hard enough
         • God is all good and all powerful; His actions are all wise in His perfect timing
     • you need not doubt His wisdom!
       • He knows what is best for you
3. I will choose HIM, not ME (v20)
   • your grumbling is the choosing of self and rejection of the Lord, as well as His promises, power, works…
   • surrender to His plans! surrender to His call to wait!
   • Rom 4:20-21