In regions of Mexico, hot springs and cold springs are found side by side, and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women often bring their laundry to the springs. They boil their clothes in hot springs, and then rinse them in the cold springs. A tourist watching this procedure commented to his Mexican guide: “They must think Mother Nature is generous to freely supply such ample, clean hot and cold water.” The guide replied, “No, senor, there is much grumbling and complaining because she supplies no soap.”
Complaining has become a way of life
Isn’t that the way of life? We constantly are blessed by God for what he provides but all we see is what He doesn’t supply – and we grumble and complain – and who likes being around people that complain all the time about everything? And yet, complaining is so common that for many it is a way of life. Right now you can probably think about someone you avoid being around because of how much they complain. We complain about teachers, minimum wage rates, bosses, traffic, taxes, people in government offices, our pastors and church leaders, spouses, children, home repairs, health, and troubles of all kinds. No matter how common complaining has become in our world, doesn’t make it right.
Complaining is a sin
The Bible makes it clear that complaining is a sin in the life of His people. In Numbers 11, we find the nation of Israel complaining and the tragic consequences that follow. But does this apply to Christians today? 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us that these things happened to them as an example and they were written down for our instruction. Philippians 2:14 tell us that we are to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” So let’s look at Numbers 11 and find out what Israel had to complain about.
What Did Israel have to complain about?
The nation of Israel was on their journey through the wilderness after God brought them out of slavery in Egypt. They had already had the stop at Mt Sinai where God gave them the Ten Commandments. They are now moving towards the land of Canaan, the land God had promised to them. All along the way they grumbled and complained. They complained as soon as the Egyptian army began to catch up with them, so God parted the Red Sea and they travel across to the other side on dry land. They complained because there was no meat, so God sent them quails and manna. Then they complained about the lack of water and God miraculously provided water out of a rock.
By the time we get to Numbers 11, the people were just complaining about the general problems of the journey. There wasn’t any big problem going on here. It was more like the child in the back seat who asks every five minutes on the family vacation, “Are we there yet?” Perhaps they were complaining about having to lug around their tents, or the same scenery day in and day out – sand, sand, sand. Maybe they complained about how hot it was out there in the wilderness. Or maybe it was the sand getting in their sandals.
God is sick and tired of complaining
But in Numbers 11:1, God (and probably Moses too!) is just sick and tired of their complaining. As a result God disciplines them severely with some of them actually losing their life. The very first verse of Numbers 11 makes it very clear about how God feels about complaining – it angers Him. But like them, we are just as guilty of complaining. We complain about the teacher who grades unfairly, the boss who scored unfairly on the annual review, the amount of work dumped on us at work, the irritating habits of your spouse, or not having anything to wear as you gaze into a closet full of clothes, the people who don’t appreciate you, the lack of money in the bank, the luxury car you don’t have even though you have a new car. Even if our complaints are due to a true hardship, we shouldn’t complain. Instead, we should trust God and thank Him for how He provides for our needs each and every day.
Don’t hang out with the complainers
As we read Numbers 11, we find that God directs his anger to “some in the outskirts of the camp.” Why those people? If you think about where the complainers hang out, it’s rarely in the midst. Instead they hang out at the copier or water cooler. Or maybe the supply room or behind the office building. But if we remember from the first few chapters of Numbers, God gave very precise instructions on the order the people of Israel were to camp and march. It is very likely that the complainers were out of formation and hanging out in the outskirts together and feeding off each others’ complaints. The loudest complainers are usually hanging out together on the sidelines refusing to be compliant and mouth-off at every opportunity.
Why does complaining anger God?
So what is it about our complaining that angers God? Complaining demonstrates our unthankfulness for the gifts God gives us as well as our inability to trust Him. So when we find ourselves complaining, we need to stop and ask ourselves, “Am I content with what God has provided for me?”
God had provided for the nation of Israel manna to help sustain them in the journey through the wilderness. It had all the nutrients they would need. But anyone would agree that manna flakes for breakfast, manna sandwiches for lunch and manna burgers for dinner can get old really quick. It would be like having scrambled eggs for breakfast, egg salad sandwich for lunch, and omelets for dinner – every day. How long would it take before you never wanted to see another egg again? But if eggs is what God has provided, then we should be thankful that God has provided food for us to eat and we are not starving.
Am I Satisfied with Jesus?
Not only is there a physical application to learn from, but there is also a spiritual application. In John 6, Jesus said that He is the true Bread of Life. Manna provided the physical and life-sustaining nourishment they needed, but Jesus provides the spiritual and eternal life we need. So when we find ourselves complaining, we need to also ask ourselves, “Am I satisfied with Christ?” Often our complaints are evidence that we are not. The Bible teaches us that our joy is full in Christ. However, many times, we long for the things of the world and fall for Satan’s lie that money, relationships, careers, becoming a parent, or having name-brand possessions will make us happy. Any time, we begin to long for things of this world, then we’ve taken our eyes of Christ and are looking back to the life from which Christ rescued us. As a result, we lose sight of all that we have in Him. Where are your eyes focused – things of this world, or on Christ and things that are spiritual?
Be careful what you complain about
In responding to Israel’s complaints, God gave them exactly what they had complained about not having. In fact, He gave it in such an over-abundant amount that it would “come out of their noses” and become “loathsome” to them. So be careful about complaining because you may just get your wish and more than you can stand. Psalm 106 14-15 tells us, “They lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls.”
Complaining is a surface symptom of a deeper problem
So the next time you find yourself complaining, remember that our complaints are merely a surface symptom of a much deeper problem: the sin of discontent. Whenever we complain, we provide the verbal evidence of our dissatisfaction with God’s provision and our lack of trust in Him. As soon as you realize you are complaining, stop right then and confess your sin to God. Acknowledge that He always knows what’s best for us and accept that fact that He has given everything we need. Ask him to help you be content and look for how He is providing for your every need. Turn your complaining into thankfulness.
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
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We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
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Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan
With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Jeremiah 29:13
For America to see revival, 2 Chronicles 7:14 says we are to seek God’s face. Jeremiah tells us that we will find Him when we search for Him with all our hearts.
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Godfidence 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
All Things New 
Joy of the Lord 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Steps of a Good Man 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Path of His Commands 
Prayer Warrior 
Beloved- Mr and Mrs 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Worry 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Face Masks now available! 
All things are possible 
Run with perseverance 
Revive us again, Lord
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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
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