Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel. When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, 294 instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining.

Mange undrer sig over israelitternes vantro og knurren, når de læser Israels historie, og mener, at de ikke ville have været så utaknemmelige selv, hvis de havde været i deres sted. Men når deres tro bliver sat på prøve, selv i småting, udviser de ikke mere tro eller tålmodighed end det gamle Israel. Når de kommer ud for vanskeligheder knurrer de over de midler, som Gud benytter til at lutre dem. Skønt deres øjeblikkelige behov tilfredsstilles, er der mange, der er uvillige til at stole på Gud i fremtiden. De er til stadighed ængstelige for, at de skal blive fattige, og at deres børn skal komme til at lide mangel. Nogle går i en stadig frygt for ondt eller gør vanskelighederne større, end de er, med det resultat, at de ikke ser alle de velsignelser, de burde være taknemmelige for. Deres vanskeligheder skiller dem fra Gud, fordi de skaber uro og utilfredshed hos dem, i stedet for at søge hjælp hos ham der er den eneste kilde til styrke.