See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15

God’s bountiful grace. How He liberally showers it upon His children – all for His good pleasure! We would be foolish to allow bitter roots to impede the flourishing growth of His grace in our lives. But we do – everyday – without realizing the blessings we inadvertently choke out.

In Promised Land Living, we look at a group of people who did just that – choked out the abundance God had for them. Do you recall when God told Moses to send 12 men in to spy out the Promised Land? (Numbers 13-14) All but two were filled with fear. They said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are,” (Numbers 13:31).The Israelites knew they had no material weapons to overcome the enemy. They trusted in “horses and men” rather than in God.

Their misdirected fears gave rise to grumbling and complaining and a root of bitterness infected the whole camp. They were more afraid of the enemy than God. How could they have possibly forgotten the God-factor, after all the miracles they had personally witnessed?

Yet, don’t we tend to do the same?

Fear is not the real problem; it’s what we do with fear that is the problem!  Clarity dispels fear. When we clearly see obstacles in light of God’s power, fear is abated. The psalmist says, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11)

When we don’t trust in God, we grumble. When we grumble, grace cannot abound.

Life Coaching Tips:

  • What am I longing for vs. complaining about? (Hint: They may be connected. Usually it is because I think God is not enough). Find out what I am longing for and surrender it to the Lord.
  • Complaining gives us permission to stay “stuck”. What do I want to do instead?
  • How does grumbling and complaining show up in me? Where does it show up? What would I like to do instead?  When?

Scripture to meditate on:

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Jonah 2:8

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

Ephesians 4:7

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.