I am sure we would all be surprised if we could hear a recording of our conversations for a single day. We would be amazed at how much we grumble and complain.

Children gripe about homework or washing the dishes. Mother complains about having to spend so much time picking up after everybody in the family. Father comes home and makes bitter remarks about his boss and work. And so it goes the whole day through.

In our Bible reading today, we hear the complaints of the children of Israel who had just come out of Egypt (Num. 14:2-3). After all that God had done for them, they should have been grateful and eager to obey Him. But because of their unbelief and disobedience, an entire generation never reached the Promised Land (v.23).

Today as well, grumblers forfeit God's blessings and spread discouragement to those around them. That type of attitude is inappropriate for a follower of Christ. Pioneer missionary Hudson Taylor said, "If your father and mother, your sister and brother, yes even the very cat and dog in your house are not happier for your being a Christian, it is a question whether you really are one or not."

Do our words honor the Lord? Do we spread joy and encourage others to trust and obey Him?  — Henry G. Bosch