Numbers 11-13

Complaining is deformative both personally and collectively, complaining does not please the LORD. In Numbers 11 the Israelites complained which arouses the LORDs anger which burned against the people both who complained that manna from heaven was not enough to satisfy them and those who yielded to craving in the consumption of quail that the LORD provided.

Numbers 11:1 (NKJV) "Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp."

Complaining displeases the LORD. I often think about my own behaviors and whether they demonstrate my faith or lack thereof and how I must operate in the opposite spirit. What I mean by this is when I'm afraid operating in the opposite spirit is courage, when I'm in pain or troubled emotionally operating in the opposite spirit is lament, in the face of difficulty with the temptation to complain about my circumstance or lack instead I will be content. The word of God does not guarantee an easy life to those who trust in God, it does guarantee that the LORD is a strong refuge and will help you every step of the way - just as he demonstrated for the Israelites through their exodus from Egypt and journey through the desert wilderness. 

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV) "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." 

There is great hope in this promise! Many are the afflictions of the righteous, afflictions can be great like terminal cancer diagnosis, death of a loved one, famine or homelessness, afflictions can be small like dealing with a pessimistic coworker, a persistent check engine light in a vehicle or other minor inconveniences. Remaining grounded in faith means acknowledging that in every circumstance God doesn't change. God is good all the time. No matter how good or difficult life is, God is good. Complaining does not declare that God is good, complaining is a form of self-pity which is not faith. Operating in faith not fear means that despite a cancer diagnosis that God will provide, deliver, strengthen and sustain, I'm not suggesting that God miraculously heals every time- rather that God is all powerful and has all authority over His Creation and is able to do what he wills and our purpose in everything is to bring God glory no matter our circumstance.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Make a resolve this day to please God more and more by walking in the opposite spirit of complaining by operating in great faith through lament by ascribing to God His proper place of power and authority. Biblical faith is honesty about God, faith does not deny difficulty rather lament is a form of praise that says, "I'm in a challenge, and God is good." I've heard it taught before that lamenting is finishing the sentence, complaining says: "I'm in a challenge," pleasing worship unto the LORD is making your requests known, Jesus models this when he teaches his disciples about prayer. Lamenting is an honest cry of need and declaration of God's goodness, complaining accomplishes nothing.

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