Sermon: The Seventeenth Sunday After pentecost

Patsy Tilley

Proper 20 , 2026 September 20, 2026

“THE GRUMBLERS”

All of us have had “grumblers” in our lives, some who haven’t seen the “light of the world” only the dark and they became “the dark”.

The Israelites were given an opportunity to live in a land “of milk and honey” (as we have been known to call Israel). Yet, all they could see, feel or think about was the negative of their travels. The Israelites were looking back at the “flesh pots” or, seamy side of life, as we may say, and thinking of the idols of Egypt.

Did they talk to “their God” of grace? No, they just complained to man, (Moses), the one chosen by God to lead and to protect and provide. They continued to complain to Moses. Of course! But who really was the leader, protector and provider of the “travelers” out of Egypt? The God of grace and love.

Inward looking, seeing only “me”, what I don’t have this minute not what was ahead, grumbling about their minutes of life as they traveled out of Egypt,

yet their perception of life in Egypt was flawed due to their inability to see what God was doing for

them–not what God was doing for them.

Many years later Isaiah wrote, “he who puts his trust in the Lord, will soar as on Eagles wings, walk and not grow weary, run and not grow tired”. Isaiah may have been remembering the Israelites grumbling to man and not to the very one who created a path to freedom of life to think, live not as slaves to man but to freedom in God’s ways?

Again, Isaiah tells us that God’s ways and man’s ways are not the same. Man’s vision as mankind often only sees, is what is in front of him, and not what God has planned for the future. We too often only see “self” vision but God sees with perfect vision the plans He has planned for us, the opportunity to be unselfish, kind, loving others as we love selves. The one who reaches out to all of us has implanted choice, to live as we were created, in the image of God who loves unconditionally, yet gives us the freedom to choose what we say, what we think, what we do, how we act. God so loved the world, He gave His only Son to be our Savior. God chose to create man and woman, but did not dictate how we live our lives. He wanted us to turn to Him in all situations for WISDOM.

The “grumblers” turned to Moses, complaining, complaining, complaining, yet we do not hear any of them turning to God for His perfect help. Do we see ourselves in the “grumblers”?

As the Israelites complained to Moses, our God heard every word that was said and made it clear to His Chosen Leader, “I will provide”, and God did, reigning down what looked-liked frost but was really “manna-bread”, giving everyone an opportunity to have what was needed for their family. And for the next day. God said to gather extra for the next day so they would not have to “work” on the Sabbath.

Do we ever feel like “grumbling”? Oh yes! This is a lesson we can learn for life, talk to our Savior first. As we know, life is not smooth, no wrinkles. We do encounter hard situations or “broken glass under bare feet”. We have all known the unexpected in life, often causing us “heartache”. Very recently, one of my younger cousins, yes much younger, woke to find her husband had died in his sleep. He did have a heart condition, and didn’t feel too good when they went to bed. But said he would be ok in the morning after getting some sleep. Shock! The only word. What our family does know-Alan is in a much better place. But Sheila is still hurting even knowing that Alan has a truly perfect life now. Life can be very shocking yet we who turn to God first, resting in Jesus, will be comforted with the great knowledge that we can trust in the Lord with our whole heart, mind and spirit.

The Israelites were given this knowledge but allowed themselves to look back at only what they thought about, their eating and not their slavery.

Looking back is good sometimes. But it is important what we consider to “see”. Too often we become distracted by what is not the most important to see. If we remember what is behind us that appears to be the good and we neglect to remember all the negatives, we will not see what is in front that is good for us, better than the past. In Exodus 3, when God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and Moses did not think he was the right person, God made a promise that God would lead and make Himself known. It was God who did the choosing of a leader. Also, this very promise is made many times by God and He never breaks a promise.

In Deuteronomy (31:6-8) God promises again and in Hebrews the same promise is made. God will always be with us. But WE ARE RESPONSIBLE for looking to God first, seeking His vision. God’s delight is in leading our lives to resemble the image in which we were created.

Manna/bread, water, this was the GIFT of God and was not given under the provision of slavery and dictatorship.

God promised to lead the Israelites into the “sunshine” of life no matter the clouds they encountered.

We can turn to God with our hearts aching, minds in shock, and trembling bodies. We can control the first step up to peace; even with all our problems, remembering “The day hemmed in prayer to God, talking to God first, the day is less likely to become filled with clouds”.

As we know eventually, some of “God’s chosen”, the Israelites, were able to enter the land that was chosen for them.

God provided some directions for the journey, but not all followed the directions. Even, Moses, the one we know God chose to lead, could not enter this given land for he did not “follow” the perfect directions of God. Moses could see the land, but could not cross over into the given promise.

So, who did enter the promised land? The younger generation as it was the parents grumbling.

What land do we want to enter?

We are encouraged by the beautiful words in the Psalm we read today: “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name…Sing to Him, sing praises to Him, speak of all His marvelous works…Search for the Lord and His strength…for God remembers His Holy Word (never breaking His promises).” Our strength is in the Lord even in our darkest moments.

Always remember, Jesus promised, “I am with you always”.

There is a song that can play in our hearts and minds, “You’ll never walk alone” If we continue to “play” these words in our minds and open our hearts to this promise, we can stand tall in all we face in life.

We open our hearts to You Lord, to pray:

“Almighty God, unto You all hearts are open, and no secrets are hid, for You love us unconditionally.” We lift these words in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

Resource The NIV Bible