Numbers 16 and 17 are connected. Numbers 16 presents disagreement (the Christian word for gossip is "concern") as to who was truly the chosen leader. Numbers 17 presents God's decision: Aaron was the chosen leader. Numbers 17 establishes several important principles concerning God's authority and ways concerning ministry.

When we are doubting, we have to be careful who we listen to and what we put our focus on. Changing your perspective, drawing close to God and allowing Him to transform us will surely enable us to overcome doubt!

James 1:6 (HCSB)

But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

When doubt creeps in, we need to focus on the person of Christ rather than that which causes us to doubt our faith in God.

There are times in life when God seems distant. This can be because of my lack of faith or even sin but there are times in the life of every Christian, when even though you are walking by faith and there is no known sin in your life, God seems far away. You pray, but God doesn’t answer. You read the Bible, but it does not speak to you. You seek God, but it seems as if He is hiding. At those times when it seems as if God has turned His back, we must deliberately trust the fact that He loves us with an unfailing love, and that He will not forsake us, even though it may seem that way for a while.

There are times in the life of every Christian, when even though you are walking by faith and there is no known sin in your life, God seems far away. You pray, but God doesn’t answer. You read the Bible, but it does not speak to you. You seek God, but it seems as if He is hiding.