​​Welcome  to    Joy By Surprise

Millions of people on this planet, including many 'true believers,' are discontented with their lot in life. Very few things satisfy them. They can find fault with almost every place, everything and everyone; and they spend much of their time 'murmuring.' They want more money, luxury, authority, power, position and possessions. They see others with these things: but they are discontented with their lot in life and are not slow to voice their discontent.

These folk are spiritually sick. Are you one of them? Am I one of them? The Bible gives us some invaluable advice concerning discontentment and murmuring. It is found in Israel's experiences in their wilderness. I'll begin by reading a few verses of each experience and then endeavor to draw lessons from it.

What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this:

• That we should never forget how YaHuWaH has delivered us from the slavery of spiritual Egypt. How that the Lamb's blood has saved us from sin and eternal death and brought us through the Red Sea of Trial.
• That though we live in an extremely evil world, a veritable 'wilderness of sin,' the Creator is still able to keep us alive, though conditions appear to be deteriorating. Remember the manna never began to fall till a whole month had passed: so their food stocks were precariously low.
• That YaHuWaH, the Holy One of Israel listens to our every word, every murmur: 'for he heareth your murmuring.' He can read every thought, weigh every motive and assess every action. Nothing escapes Him, absolutely nothing at all.
• That YaHuWaH, the KING of the Sabbath, is anxious to see whether we will walk in His Instructions, or not: or whether at the first sign of a shortage we begin to complain.

What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this:

• YaHuWaH is well aware of the fact that we need water: and he will supply it when there are no wells from which to drink. But He usually waits to see our reaction when our supplies run dry.
• Murmuring is tempting YaHuWaH !

About a year later Israel entered the wilderness of Paran, the wilderness of burning. The nation's complaints moved into a higher gear; and so did the Almighty's frustration and anger.

What can we learn from this experience? Among other things, we can learn this:

• That after being warned, after witnessing the mighty power of YaHuWaH for a whole year, after eating food which fell from Heaven, after drinking water which gushed out of a rock, the people of YaHuWaH persisted in their murmuring. YaHuWaH 's anger was greatly kindled, particularly against the 'mixt-multitude,' that is, the faithless, half-converted believers in the camp who were only interested in the things of the flesh - food and drink.
• This passage is not teaching that we should all become vegetarians: or that cucumbers, melons, onions, leeks and garlic are not to be enjoyed. Oh no! This experience is teaching us that when we begin to be bored with the heavenly Bread of Life (the Word of Elohim, the Son of Elohim, the worship of Elohim) then we are in grave danger of entering Taberah: where the fire of YaHuWaH burnt His people.

Even though YaHuWaH, the Holy One of Israel had crushed the mighty Egyptian army and set Israel free, His people still feared human enemies and human fortifications. Ten of the twelve spies had brought back a very discouraging report: one that was riddled with doubt about Israel's chances of taking over the Promised Land. As a result tens of thousands of adult Israelites, all except their little children, followed their lead and began to doubt. Those adults all lost their lives in the wilderness - all except Yehoshua and Caleb.

What can we learn from this experience? Among other things, we can learn this:

• Doubting the Almighty's power to save and keep His promise to protect us from our enemies, is fatal: not only for ourselves but for those who rely on our judgement and who may become infected with our doubts.
• Also, you may unthinkingly wish for something stupid, and then be granted your wish. They asked for death in the wilderness ('…would Elohim we had died in this wilderness!) and then - horror of horrors! their wish was granted.
• Or you may well think of stoning the very people who try to instil faith in you.' They took up stones to stone Yehoshua and Caleb.'

When summoned to discuss the matter with Moshe, the Reubenite rebels Dathan and Abiram sent this insulting message to him:

Many of you know the story well. Moshe was furious, YaHuWaH was furious and He caused the earth to split open and swallow up the rebels, their families, their tents and all their goods.

The Almighty's anger overflowed, He began to slaughter Israel and it was only when Aaron, on Moshe's orders, ran to their rescue that the plague was stayed.

What can we learn from this experience? Among other things, we can learn this:

• Though Israel was a nation of kings and priests (Exodus 19:6) not every Israelite was authorized to officiate as a priest before YaHuWaH. That office was reserved for the family of Aaron. To be sure the other Levites and the Reubenites had important duties, but not as priests of the Most High.
• Misjudgment of this fact on the part of the Levite Korah and the Reubenites, Dathan, Abiram and On resulted in the death of some 250 princes and about 15,000 souls!

Surprisingly the remaining leaders in Israel still considered themselves in the right. To be sure they didn't join in the open rebellion of Korah, Dathan, Abiram and the 250 who died. But they still considered that Aaron and his sons were taking too much upon themselves. After all, were they not leaders of the other tribes of Israel. And so YaHuWaH organized, what I call - the Rod Test. Like a monarch's scepter or an army officer's baton, the rod is the symbol of authority that a ruler has over a company, tribe or nation.

What can we learn from this experience? Among other things, we can learn this:

• Rebellion against Moshe, the channel of divine law, is a fatal mistake.
• Assuming or coveting spiritual authority which YaHuWaH hasn't given is a grave error. It can lead to the death of many souls.
• YaHuWaH has appointed various duties in the church which can only be done by His authorized channels. Divine authority in matters spiritual is always evident by its results:- spiritual buds, blossoms and almonds. The bowls of the seven branch candlestick (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) were all 'made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.' (Exodus 25:33-34, Ex. 37:19-20)

There is, of course, such a thing as acceptable discontent: else no one would seek improvement. We would all sit still and content ourselves with any and everything - however bad it happened to be. But what is acceptable discontent? Misjudgment in this matter could be inviting disaster. Here are a few examples of acceptable discontent:

Comparing ourselves with others is a vain and futile pastime. Better by far to compare yourself to YAHUSHUA the Savior. You can be sure that if you take this course you will feel discontented with your own performance and this will lead to repentance, faith, humility and contentment.

No believers should be satisfied with the moral decline we see all around. Speaking of Lot who lived in ancient Sodom the Bible says:

Doubtless there are scores of other things that need improvement: in the home, in the church, in the school, in the workplace. Wherever you look you will see things that are crying out for attention. Things that make the true believer unhappy and discontented. That's not a bad thing. But don't just resort to criticism or murmuring under your breath. Get in there and help to put it right. Do something about it. Don't wait for others to lead out, do it yourself. Remember that the only ground for criticism is - can you do better? If you think you can, then go ahead and do it; because murmuring is counter productive and, what's worse, it angers YaHuWaH !

There is a cure for discontentment. Scripture says:

But there is a better route to contentment: which, if taken, will lead you to peace of mind, freedom from sin, distress and discontent? That route is to YAHUSHUA the Messiah, the son of David, the only begotten Son of YaHuWaH. He is ever ready to accept you into his company. To be sure, none of his followers are perfect: but he is and you are welcome to join him. A story is told of king David of ancient Israel. On an infinitely higher plane the same is true of YAHUSHUA of Nazareth. Here is the story:

Are you in distress? Are you spiritually bankrupt, with no hope whatsoever of clearing your debt? Have you some problem from which you want to run away? Are you discontented with your life, your partner, your family, your church, your job, your country? Then run to YAHUSHUA the Savior, to the son of David, the Son of YaHuWaH ! You can be sure that He will not turn you away. In His company you will find rest for your soul and true satisfaction.