TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Janette Tanhuanco

Why is complaining so displeasing to the Lord? To understand complaining, let’s define it. According to Merriam-Webster, to complain is to express grief, pain, discontent, or expression of ingratitude. Complaining or grumbling implies that God is not sufficiently good, loving, or wise.

We are in a society where complaining is becoming a part of life; we see it everywhere. People on social media nearly have so many things to complain about, voicing their woes and grievances publicly, which is different from stating some facts or truths. Children without being taught are also guilty of doing the same: they dislike their food, they find their school or teacher boring, and they throw tantrums when their parents ask them to help around the house or curtail their screen time with their gadgets. The church is not spared from this, too, wherein some members may complain that the aircon is either too cold or not; the preacher is dull, the songs are not to their liking, and so forth. Mostly discontentment, disappointment, anger, bitterness, and resentment are the causes of complaining, which is usually when we are unable to achieve or acquire our heart’s desire or get our way.

The Israelites enjoyed abundant blessings and favor from God. God knew the dire situation His people were in, so in His love and mercy, He sent Moses to deliver His people from years of suffering, enslavement, and maltreatment in Egypt and bring them to the land of His promise, a land flowing milk and honey where they will live in freedom where there is no cruel taskmaster over them. After witnessing miracles after miracles, provision, and deliverance from God, we still see them complaining and whining along their journey. What are they complaining about? Nearly about everything, the hardship in their journey, they even enumerated the food they used to eat in Egypt, which they lacked on this journey, lack of water, and even weeping because there was no meat. Moses was displeased and afflicted. In the midst of it all, the Israelites forgot the wonderful goodness and blessings of God, His delivering them from slavery and setting them free, His presence in their journey, His protection of them, and His provision of water and food. Manna is the food from heaven, and they have a fresh supply from God every day. They failed to thank God for all these but simply focused on what they do not have but do not necessarily need. They were not satisfied with God and with what He gave them.

But before we judge the Israelites, let’s examine ourselves. Are we any different from them? Can we honestly say that we never complain even when our circumstances or situations become tough when our dreams do not materialize? God is aware of our needs, desires, dreams, and temptations that assail us, and God is meeting us where we are and will lead us to better circumstances or has a purpose in our current situation. He is not indifferent to what we are going through, and we need to trust Him.

Another danger of complaining is that it does not only affects us but the people around us: our leaders, family, society, school, and church. It’s true in the case of Moses. He was displeased, angry, afflicted, and aggravated by the very people he was leading. Let’s not be selfish and just think about ourselves; let’s be considerate of how we affect the people around us. We have to guard ourselves against this habit of complaining and not make the life of the people around us miserable just because things are not working well for us. So why does God hate complaining? It is the very opposite of thanksgiving; it implies we don’t trust God, it affects or infects the attitude of people around us, never complaining makes us feel better, and it presents a bad testimony. Everyone goes through difficult and uncomfortable circumstances, but our response to these situations will make a difference.

How should we respond? We do not sit around moaning and complaining about our situation, but we pray to God about it, meditate on His word, and promise that God knows what He is doing. These Bible verses will remind us how to respond to our situation and let us be able to live it out as well:

1 Peter 4:9 states, “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”

James 5:9 states,  ” Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

Philippians 2:14 states, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

REFLECTION

Am I a complainer, and what are things that I mostly complain about? Am I focusing on what I do not have and forgetting all God’s goodness and blessings upon me? How can I cultivate a thankful heart?  

PRAYER

Father God, You are the most Loving God and Father to us. You did not promise us a life free from trials, temptations, and difficulties, but You did promise us of Your ever Presence, provision, protection, and guidance. Create in us a heart that will truly long after You—a heart that will bless You and praise You in every circumstance, for we know as it is written in Your word that this is Your will in Christ Jesus for us. May we shine for You in this discontented world. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.