God Speaks in our Pain

“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” Numbers 21:5

Poor Moses! He was stuck with an ungrateful and rebellious people! Even after they had seen God’s mighty saving power, they still complained. 

In punishment, the Lord sent saraph serpents, which bit people and many died. In a way, some of us are like the Israelites in the harsh desert. We complain about many things, horrendous traffic, our work schedule and workload, no time for ourselves, an overzealous boss or annoying office mates, our salary is not enough, having to wear masks all the time, etc etc. 

How are we dealing with our problems and challenges? Are we complaining about all the things we lack, or do we take the time to appreciate what we have? Are we able to meet God where we are? Or are we grumbling and rejecting God for where we are? The Jews were led into the desert. Is God leading us to a place where we would rather not go? 

The desert can be a beautiful place. God can speak louder in the emptiness and silence of a desert. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Is God shouting to us right now?