Danger of complaints

Call to Prayer

Topic: Danger of complaints

By: Simon Maina Nuhu

Date: 02.02.2024

´They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” ⁶ Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died´ (Numbers 21:5-6).

Studying carefully the life of the Israelites since slavery in Egypt, and throughout the rigorous journey in the wilderness, one could learn significantly about the patience of God, and also, the perpetual ungrateful nature of a natural man. They literally lived a life worthy of any disaster one can ever imagine because they could not endure a little time of challenges, and so, they opted to murmur always. They basically lived an inconsistent life tossed by weakness of the flesh through disobedience and stiff-neck behaviour. Some moments they are all excited and praising God (obviously when things appeal to their lusts), yet other times they are murmuring and grumbling fiercely against Moses and God.

Despite God´s exceeding interventions at critical situations, yet they complained. Just imagine how patient, meek and gentle Moses was, still there were times they attempted to stone him because they had no water or food. With all the signs and wonders God wrought in Egypt and among heathen nations for their sake, they still complained at a little time of challenge. And for this attitude, God was not pleased with them, thus sent fiery serpents (Number 21:6). Many of them died in the wilderness because they tempted His patience with their frequent murmuring and unbelief (1 Corinthians 10:5-10).

Now, we know that whatever things that were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). God does not like complains and murmuring! He was displeased with the Israelites and now warns us in the new Covenant that He still does not like it. He has given us powerful access to victory through prayer, the written word, pastors, brethren, and the Holy Spirit to comfort us when we are down.

Beloved in the Lord, the consequences of murmuring might manifest as unanswered prayer, stunted spiritual growth, increased hardship and defeat in times of temptation. Whenever things don´t go our way, we must inculcate the habit of thanksgiving, for it is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 5:8). We are not to join the mix multitude of the world who are ignorant of the ways of God to complain or utter ungodly words because conditions are hard. And finally, we should be aware that ungratefulness begins from the heart before it manifest in the mouth in form of complains.

Prayer point:

Let´s thank God for the word and also ask Him to help us to bear our cross and burden graciously.