Numbers 11:1 – And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.
THEME OF THE DAY. IT IS NO SMALL MATTER. Whenever we use words like “never”, “always”, and “everybody”, we should do so with great caution, and probably never in a spiritual context. Let’s consider each word in a spiritual context.
First, the word “never.” Don’t look down our Pharisee nose at a Christian who has fallen into sin, or failed miserably in their spiritual life saying, “I would never do something like that.” Remember Peter. He did and it was a disaster. His example will keep us humble knowing the power of sin and help us avoid the words, “I would never.”
The second word to avoid in a spiritual context is “always”, like “I always strive to please the Lord”, “I always seek to be a good witness for Christ” or “I always pray before doing anything or going anywhere.” “Always” means never once failing and we know ourselves too well to use “always” in our spiritual lives.
A third word of caution and should be almost always avoided is “everybody.” We don’t even know ourselves so how can we say, “Everybody does it” when it comes to conduct as a Christian?. However, this word “everybody” may occasionally be used with a high degree of confidence in certain spiritual contexts. Today’s scripture is that context. I think I am safe to say, “Everybody, Christian and non-Christian, complains at times in life.” I know the Nugget goes to a lot of places and to a lot of people, and if anyone reading it may say, “Jim, I have never complained in my life about one single thing”, please feel free to correct me. I don’t anticipate a flood in my inbox.
In today’s scripture, we find God’s people complaining. We won’t go into the details of why because it doesn’t matter. Complaining, of anything or anyone, is no small matter in the eyes of God. The scripture says, “His anger was kindled” and that because of His people whining and complaining. If we are going to get a grip on the seriousness of the sin of complaining, we must understand that all complaining is not about our circumstances, situations, or difficult people in our lives. In the eyes of the Lord, all complaining is a direct assault on Him; His Person, character and actions. Allow me to simply list things revealed about our attitude toward God when we complain . . .
1. Complaining reveals unbelief of God’s goodness during times of pain and suffering.
2. Complaining reveals doubt of God’s wisdom as He works out difficult circumstances in our lives for good.
3. Complaining reveals mistrust of God’s sovereignty calling Him “unfair”, even without words because of what is happening to us.
4. Complaining reveals rebellion to God’s will as everything, even affliction, is part of His will for us in Christ Jesus.
5. Complaining reveals resistance to God’s work as we try to change circumstances, situations, and people for our comfort and to our will.
Yes, beloved. Complaining is no small matter with the Lord. And He loves us so much, it will not go unnoticed or undealt with in our lives. As He did His people of old, He will do so for us. He will bring His rod of correction to humble us, bring us to repentance for the sin of complaining, and move us to the position of glad submission in all things. He must do this. A complaining heart is a heart consumed with pride and self-love; both the greatest oppositions to spiritual growth in us and intimacy with the Lord Jesus.
So, the next time we are tempted to complain about anything or anyone, let’s pause; look to heaven and before we sin the sin of complaining, remember who and what we are really complaining of.
PRAYER: “Lord, forgive me for the too many times I complain in my life, forgetting You are my life.”
QUOTE: “Complaining is no small matter with the Lord. He takes it as a direct insult to who He is and what He does”