EXODUS 16:4-8 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.””
THEME OF THE DAY: THE EASILY COMMITTED SIN OF COMPLAINING. Quick question. It is Friday. The week is winding down. Did we complain about anything or anyone this week? The weather? An irritating person? A boss? An insensitive spouse? A disobedient child? A physical problem in our houses? An unexpected financial challenge? A trial that seemed to come out of nowhere testing our patience and submission to God’s sovereignty? There are so many other things we may list that tempt us to commit the sin of complaining. And yes, complaining is sin. Serious sin. Granted all sin before God is serious, but complaining says so much about our relationship with God and our walks in life as Christians.
The Apostle Paul addresses the sin of complaining in his letter to the Philippians – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Philippians 2:12-14). He reminds us God is at work in us, and that we are to submit to that work without grumbling (complaining) or disputing.
In today’s scripture, we are instructed to the other side of complaining. With the Apostle Paul, we read of not complaining against God’s work in us, but now not to complain about His provision for us.
The Israelites were complaining to Moses about God’s provision for them. They remembered what was provided in Egypt, and now in the wilderness, it was different. They complained and longed to be back in Egypt. In doing so, they not only committed the sin of complaining over God’s current provision, but also the sin of envy looking to their past. The lessons are obvious. Be careful when it comes to God’s will, work, and provision in our lives. He is good. He is loving. Father knows best, and to complain means we don’t believe Him, and actually reveals our rebellion against His always good, perfect, and wise ways in dealing with us.
May the Lord help us be sensitive to Him, and when the temptation to complain comes, plead with the Lord to help us defeat it by remembering Who He is and His love for us.
PRAYER: Father, forgive me of the easy sin of complaining I allow in my life.
REFLECTION: Be on guard against all sin and especially the easily tolerated ones. All are offensive to God.