PSALM 103:1-5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

We agreed it would be great to get together for lunch and share a good time of fellowship around the things of the Lord. The date has come and we find ourselves seated across from one another in a nice restaurant. As our time unfolds, I ask the question, “What do you think is one of the easiest sins Christians allow in their lives?” Before we move on in our lunch time conversation with our answers, yes, we allow sin in our lives. We don’t have to sin. The Apostle Paul told us “sin will not have dominion over us” (Romans 6:14). Okay back to our conversation. As you ponder your answer, I quickly answer my own question. I look at you and respond, “I think the easiest and most allowed sin in the Christian life is complaining.” And I would venture to say, you would have a difficult time finding one topping that one!

Sit back for a moment and think of the ease of complaining. From weather to a challenging child to an interrupted schedule, we find a lot of things in life to complain about. Now I know I am making a huge assumption here. Maybe you are not a complainer. Perhaps you go through every day of your life totally and gladly submissive in speech, attitude and action toward God’s unfolding sovereignty in your life without any complaining. None. If so, I am about to commit the sin of envy, but I think my assumption is fairly safe. All of us complain to some extent. And complaining is no small sin. It is rebellion to God’s will unfolding in our lives, but that isn’t the focus today. We want to overcome the sin of complaining and today’s scripture is a great place to go.

David exhorts us to forget not all God’s benefits and that is the key to killing the sin of complaining. When tempted to grumble over what we don’t have in life, where we are in life, and all the other things we feel we lack or don’t like bringing us to the brink of complaining, stop and do what the hymn says, “Count your blessings.” The more we remember God’s goodness, His abundant blessings in our lives, and the countless acts of kindness and love to us, we will go from a people of complainers to a people of praise. One cannot but be overwhelmed with God’s grace in our lives when we take time to count its many manifestations.

So, next time we go to lunch, the question will be “Did you count your blessings from God this week?” Then in our answers we will have a lot to praise our God for!

PRAYER: “Father, I give You thanks and praise for the abundant grace You richly give me.”
QUOTE: “Glory in the Father’s blessing to you and let it springboard you to a life of worship.”

Because of Him,
Pastor Jim