64_The deadly sin of grumbling Ex 15:22-25 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. Phil 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. In a certain city lived a wealthy businessman who seemed to have it all—wealth, power, and prestige. Yet he was plagued by constant dissatisfaction, always finding something to complain about. One day, his pastor came to visit him. As they conversed, the pastor led the man to a large window overlooking the bustling city below. “What do you see?” the pastor asked. The businessman replied, “I see people, cars, and buildings.” The pastor then handed him a small mirror. “Now, what do you see?” The man said, “I see myself.” The pastor smiled and explained, “Both the window and the mirror are made of glass. The only difference is that the mirror has a thin silver coating. Sometimes, even a little wealth or comfort can blind us from seeing what God has already provided.” This story fits in with the journey of the Israelites in Exodus 15:22-25. Despite their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, their joy turned quickly to grumbling when faced with a challenge. They had just seen, and rejoiced loudly with song and dance, at the marvelous deliverance at the Red Sea and their final deliverance from the slavery of Egypt. But the moment they faced difficulty at Marah, where the water was bitter, they began to question God’s plans, his goodness, and his power. Just a little selfishness hides the face of God from us. The Israelites’ journey reveals a mindset that is all too familiar in our own lives. After the victory at the Red Sea, they assumed that God would take them directly to the Promised Land without any hitches or troubles. However, God’s wisdom and goodness was deeper than they could guess. They went through trials so that they could learn to trust and obey him in small things, relating to their food and drink, before they were faced with larger issues. Their time in the wilderness was not meant to be just a journey to Canaan but a journey of growing faith and dependence on Him. The challenges and troubles in our lives are not interruptions to His plan but essential to it. Grumbling often stems from