A mineral called pyrite is described as “fool’s gold” because it has a superficial resemblance to the shine and appearance of real gold. In the 17th century pyrite was used as a source of ignition in early firearms. Today, gold is enjoying its highest value.

It’s not always easy working and living life with a community of people. It’s even more difficult when you lead such a group. As a parent, supervisor, or team member, there are times when ungrateful attitudes, unreasonable expectations, sense of entitlement or complaints can really frustrate us.

Moses experienced this frustration multiple times during his journey with the children of Israel.

Have you ever wanted something so badly but didn’t feel like God cared enough to provide? Jesus reminded us to ask God “give us this day our daily bread,” but what I want and what I need are not always the same thing. When I am discontented with the “daily bread” that God supplies it becomes easier for me to believe that God doesn’t want what’s best for me.

In this story, the Israelites again complained about their lack of meat.

Jane Austen published her famous novel “Pride and Prejudice” in 1813. Among other things, it explored the elaborate code of morals and manners upheld by the British landed gentry of the day. Austen’s world seems overly concerned about appearances and class distinctions to many of us today. But pride and prejudice are exhibited in every culture, in every age, and our story today illustrates this well.

Have you ever obediently embarked on a mission for God and then had it turn out badly? In this story the Israelites obediently send out twelve leaders on a reconnaissance mission to the Promised Land to find out about the residents (how strong they and their defenses are) and how good the land is.

The spies return from their mission and they have made all the right observations.

The twelve leaders have reported – they have drawn divergent conclusions from their mission observations. The community must now choose, and they give into fear. They cry “all night” and then complain against Moses and Aaron, wishing they had died in Egypt or the desert, fully convinced that God is leading them into Canaan “just to have us killed and our women and children captured”.

We’ve all been there. Our circumstances take a turn and nothing resembles the anticipated fulfillment of God’s promises to us. We think the picture is completely wrong. But, here we are. How do we respond?

Psalm 89 was possibly written at a time when King David was in the agony of humiliation before his enemies