Burning Borders

Now the people began complaining openly before the LORD about hardship. When the LORD heard, His anger burned, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. - Numbers 11:1

The Israelites complained, a lot. One time, in particular, God's anger burned against them and He sent a fire that consumed the outskirts of their encampment. As the story unfolds, we see that they did not learn from this event, continued to complain, and the result was an even greater punishment.

Here is some good advice. If God is burning your borders, you might want to make some changes.

Sometimes we ignore the subtle (or not so subtle) signs that all is not right between us and the Lord, in hopes that somehow the problems will magically go away. Yet, when we refuse to face minor weaknesses, they eventually become major failures. What may seem insignificant today can become absolutely destructive tomorrow, if left unattended. God's warnings must be heeded.

Be it a nation, an organization, or a life, burning borders are an indicator that all is not well.

History is a vast early warning system. - Norman Cousins