King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: An Attitude of Gratitude
Date: Saturday February 11, 2012
Today's Chapters: Numbers 11-13

Hello My Friend,

Faith is talking yourself into believing that God can do something He says He is going to do, quite often, people do not receive the things they ask God for because deep down they do not have faith that He can really do what He says. I always look at how God answers prayers like a traffic light, red means no, I am not giving you that. Yellow means, slow, be patient and wait, and green means, go, you can have it now. There is a reason why God says no, slow, and go, much of is about faith, but also gratitude plays a big part in how God answers prayers.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear...But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him...They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” - Hebrews 11:1-3,6,37-40.

God loves to provide for His people, it thrills Him to give us what we need, but start complaining that what He gives is not good enough and, how does the saying go, “You better be careful what you wish for.” The problem with the Jews was that they had, and still have, the assumption that since they are God's chosen He will not destroy them, no matter what they do. While God did choose the Jewish nation to represent as His people that did not mean God would not cast them in hell for their sins. As they were heading toward the promised land they began complaining that God was not giving them enough to eat.

“And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes...And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?..And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not...And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.” - Numbers 11:4-6,14,23,31-33.

Although God graciously allows us to complain to Him when there is cause, He is justly provoked if we keep complaining when there is no cause for it and especially when we have been surrounded with His provisions. The plague they were given was the result of their lust and greed, there was not even a mention of thanks either.

Those who do not know Jesus Christ personally as their Savior truly have no healthy appetite for the Bread of life, the things of Christ, and will desire things pleasing to the flesh over things pleasing to God. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” -Galatians 5:13-16.

Now, Aaron and Miriam were probably the most influential people in the camp, Aaron, a prophet, and the head of the service of God, Miriam, a prophetess, and first rank among the women of Israel. Both were discontent and began complaining about Moses. God heard the complaining and called them all out of the tabernacle to confront them.

“And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.” -Numbers 12:4-8.

Moses had the spirit of prophecy in a way that set him far above all prophets, he was able to talk with God in a free, friendly, and familiar manner, as one friend speaks to another, without any fear or dread. To have such a relationship with God would be astounding, but the greatest Christian on earth cannot compare to Jesus Christ, who removes our darkest sins. While God never leaves nor forsakes those who are saved, the removal of His presence is eminent by those who question Him and have no desire to live in His will until they repent. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” -Acts 17:30,31.

God promises to always take care of and protect His faithful servants, but fear can often get the best of us, which keeps us from letting God give us with what He really wants to give us. The time had come for the Jews to see the promised land, Moses sent twelve men, one from each tribe, to scope it out, only two out of the twelve were ready to fight for their land, the others discouraged the entire congregation by telling them that they were too weak. “And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land...And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” - Numbers 13:25,26,30,31.

We have no one, but ourselves to blame for not being grateful and thankful to God for what He has and is willing to give us, we just need to make a little effort sometimes. Remember, faith without works is dead. You can believe in Christ all you want, but unless you admit you are a sinner and ask He to save you, you will not be saved. God loves us and will do anything for us, but unless we apply an attitude of gratitude once in a while He will hold back some of the blessings. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” -Colossians 3:16,17.

Today's Psalm: 100:4 - “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

Today's Proverb: 20:4 - “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

Today's Prayer: God, I feel such deep gratitude when I consider how patient You are with my frequent shortcomings. You do not toss me aside and move on to a more deserving person, but You continue to come alongside me and Your Word continues to renew my hope day by day. When I am tempted to give up the fight, You never let me go and keep encouraging me to do my best. Let me not use the circumstances in my life to find a reason to complain, but use it as a reason to improve my relationship with You and to fully trust in You evey area of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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