The Blessing of God's Love

Being part of a school administration team, I have the opportunity to experience some really great moments on a weekly basis. Sometimes those moments include seeing our students score high on exams, athletic accomplishments, and fun school events.

Recently, I was invited to attend an awards ceremony where students and staff are recognized. At this awards ceremony, one of my co-workers were going to be surprised with an award to recognize them for being a positive role model and influence on students. As it was time to present this award, the Principal started to read a speech honoring this staff member for their accomplishments and work-place influence.

While this speech was happening, this staff member was whispering comments and expressing their frustration about how they are not appreciated for all that they do. As the speech is still going on, they continued to grumble in a discontent hushed tone about all the great work that the team does and they should be acknowledged as well. I gently instructed him to listen and to give the Principal respect for the person they were honoring. After he had finished venting it was time to announce the recipient of the award. Their name was announced to come up to the stage and receive the award. In that moment, 250+ students and staff erupted in applause and praise for the staff member.

I went back to my seat and spoke with another co-worker about how I thought it was interesting that the person did not even hear the kind and affirming words that were being said in the speech about him because they were too busy grumbling. My colleague said to me "that is a word" from the Lord which led me to meditate on this thought.

The truth of the matter is when we are in a challenging situation or season of life, we cannot see the blessing the Lord is speaking over our life. We cannot hear or experience the blessing because our hearts are fixated on the challenge or the should-have, could-have, would-have places that our flesh leads us to. In Numbers 13, we read about the struggles the Israelites encountered on their journey to the promise land - the land "flowing of milk and honey".

As they were close to land that God had promised, they sent 12 spies out to survey the land. However, prior to entry, 10 of the spies came back and reported that they were afraid of the people that lived in the land. As a result of the report , this was the response of the people (Numbers 14):

" That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

God had shown his provision and faithfulness in their deliverance from Egypt. He parted seas and rivers and ensured their needs were taken care of. But when this last trial came, they "raised their voices and wept aloud." We read further down God's response in Numbers 14:

26 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites... 34 For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’ 35 I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this wilderness; here they will die.”

Rather than remaining obedient they retreated. Their consequence was being left to wander for 40 years. The Israelites were in the middle of a miraculous blessing, but the noise, the fear, the discontentment crept in.

How does this apply to us? Here are 3 thoughts we can meditate on:

• Is our current circumstance preventing us from seeing the blessing and favor that God is pouring out over our lives at this moment?

• Are there moments that we can look back at and see God's hand and provision even when our experience in the moment was discontentment?

• Who are people in our lives that can speak truth into our life when we need a reminder of how deep God's love is for us?

Now matter what season you are in, God loves you, do not miss the blessing of his love.