Today's Daily Bread

GOD’S PATIENT MERCY TOWARD GRUMBLERS

Date : Saturday, March 07, 2026
Passage : Exodus 16:1~12
Keyverse : 12  
1
The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.
2
In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
3
The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."
4
Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.
5
On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."
6
So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt,
7
and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?"
8
Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."
9
Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, ’Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’"
10
While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
11
The LORD said to Moses,
12
"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ’At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’"
Despite God’s proven faithfulness, his people grumble again at the next experience of difficulty. This time, they were hungry, and instead of praying and asking God, they became hyperbolic, distrustful, and wanted to go back to Egypt.

God again takes this opportunity not only to address their immediate concern, but to test them: providing food in a way that requires obedience. Would they follow his instructions? We often assume our troubles in life come from “the system”, our situation, or other people. But in reality, it stems from a failure to follow God’s instructions. In God’s word there is strength and guidance to avoid problems, resolve conflicts, overcome temptations, and endure hardship until God deals with it. God is working to sanctify us through these events, to help us learn to obey and be transformed.

Moses and Aaron work together to help Israel to realize God is their shepherd. Do we see God’s hand behind our own shepherds and pastors?

God reveals his glory, demonstrating great patience. He chooses to be merciful to grumbling people. Do I see God’s mercy, and is it opening my eyes to his glory?

Prayer: Father, thank you for your endless patience and mercy to me. Help me follow your instructions and grow in my inner person, instead of grumbling.
One Word: Endure hardship as discipline