February 13, 2026 - Numbers 11-12

The golden calf, the complaining about nothing to eat, and all the other complaining from the people in the wilderness.  Had they forgotten how God had just miraculously delivered them to freedom?  And the manna, what about that?  All they had to do was go out in the morning and pick it up!  The water from the rock, what about that?  Yet, they continued to complain:  “Oh that we had meat to eat!  We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.  But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at” (11:4-6).  Soon after this complaint, “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses . . . And they said, ‘Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?’” (12:1-2).  What about us?  What about us?  What about us?  Oh my, everyone wanted what they wanted, and they wanted it immediately.  Miriam and Aaron demanded to be noticed.  So much complaining and dissatisfaction!  We can become like Israel and like Miriam and Aaron.  Much better to follow Paul’s counsel:  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  In this fallen world with all its troubles, God has been so merciful to us!  Today, let’s be sure to say, “Thank you!”

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices;

who from our mothers' arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God

through all our life be near us,

with ever joyful hearts

and blessed peace to cheer us,

to keep us in his grace,

and guide us when perplexed,

and free us from all ills.   --Martin Rinkart (1636)