Complainers

“Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it.” – Psalm 141:3-5

In my recent Bible reading, I’ve been following the Israelites through their wilderness journey after their great exodus from Egypt. What a bunch of complainers! I used to read this and think, “I would never behave like those foolish people”. Ha! Well, it turns out I am very much like those fainthearted Israelites and if not for Christ (through His vicarious death, resurrection, the new covenant of grace, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit), I’d be just as intensely ungrateful, unbelieving, and unable to enter the Promised Land. How often I’ve seen myself swinging on the pendulum of praise and complaint—all in the same day (or morning). Yet, the Bible tells us of the importance of our words—it even likens our prayers to incense and sacrifice presented before our Holy God (Psalms 141:2). How can we then use this same mouth (or mind) to murmur in unbelief, whether in words or in heart? How convicted I’ve been to realize that my grumbling isn’t against anyone or anything but the Lord. God is sovereign over my life, He gives and takes away, He tests and comforts, He allows trials and pours out blessing—all for my good and His glory. If I truly believe this, how can my complaints be directed anywhere else?

“…for the Lord hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.” – Exodus 16:8

Give me understanding

“Those who are wayward will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.” – Isaiah 29:24

When the Israelites came to the Promised Land and the spies returned with news of what they’d found, they were completely blinded by their unbelief. Only two of the spies believed that God would do what He said, the rest poisoned the entire community with their lack of faith. In fact, not only did they not believe God would give them this land, they believed the exact opposite! They said God had brought them there to perish. Now doesn’t that sound like the enemy’s work, to completely flip upside-down the truth? And the sinful inclinations of their unbelieving hearts gave in to the temptation to believe the lie.

“And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” – Numbers 14:2-3

Oh, how some wisdom would have done these complainers some good. If only they could have seen through the lens of truth and understood their situation as it really was. I know I’m not immune to this kind of deception, either. I’ve certainly caught myself, many times, confusing my blessings for burdens. And I know our enemy must be hard at work to convince us that our spouses are against us, our children are against us, God is against us, our house isn’t good enough, the outlook is grim, etc. And when those sneaking doubts, unbelieving thoughts, and feelings of discouragement begin to creep in—let’s take them to the throne and lay them before our Mighty God.

The Antidote

“I cried out to God with my voice— To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭1‬-‭3‬

The psalmist begins with his overwhelm and complaints, but he doesn’t stay there. He pours out his anguish before God and then he does this….

“And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭10‬-‭12

After praying (always the first step), what are the actions he’s taking? Remember. Meditate. Talk. Let’s remember what God has done in our lives, the lives of others, and throughout history. Meditate on His promises, His character, and His Word. And then let belief characterize our speech.

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