Today’s first reading reveals the story of a ‘complaining people’. A favoured lot who continued in their attitude of ingratitude towards God. How often have we too carried this heart of ingratitude? This challenges us to stop and reflect on God’s blessings over our lives. The circumstances we find ourselves complaining about are often pathways to God’s purpose and plan. The Israelites did not realise or chose to forget that God was leading them into the promised land. The difficulties were blessings in disguise that drew them to a life of grace and dependence on God. They were been led and opportunities were given to see God’s miracles, his providence, healing and faithfulness. God remained faithful even when they were faithless. So it is in our own lives, in the midst of our blessings we may face difficulty and feel stretched at times. God can use those moments to impart wisdom, to build us up and mature us for ministry and finally mould us into the children he intended us to be.

Prayer: Abba Father, let me remember that challenges and times of pruning are pathways to blessings. Amen.