Hi Pastor John,
The Spirit woke me up this morning. This is what was said, “Don’t complain about anything that I have given to you.”
I sat on it a while today while I was reading in Kings/Chronicles during the time of the divided kingdom. A few thoughts came to me about how important it is for each of us to be happy and live the truth that God has given to our hearts.
There were two stories that stood out to me:
- In Numbers 20, the Israelites grumbling about wanting to go back to Egypt because it had better resources (food, water, etc.). After all that God had done for them: all the miracles, the food, the water…they were complaining! They had forgotten where they had come from and didn’t believe God for where He was taking them.
- This generation hurt themselves by complaining. Because of their complaints, God cursed them and they were never allowed to see Canaan’s land.
- But also, they provoked Moses’ anger so much that he struck the rock for water instead of speaking to it asGod had So, the beloved prophet of God could not enter into Canaan’s land, either.
- In 2 Kings 5, the story about Naaman and Gehazi, Elisha’s servant. Naaman was a humble man with great power in Syria but still willing to receive counsel when he was hesitant to obey Elisha after Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jorden River to heal his leprosy.
- When Gehazi went to Naaman and lied to him about Elisha wanting money for the sons of the prophets, he was effectively complaining about not having enough earthly wealth.
- Ultimately, Gehazi wasn’t happy with the life that God had given him with Elisha. Elisha! A doubly blessed prophet of God who followed in Elijah’s footsteps and God had blessed him for it (with earthly and heavenly riches).
- Because of this, Gehazihurt God and Elisha’s hearts. Elisha lost someone who was close to him and Gehazi (along with his lineage) was cursed with leprosy.
So, the negative impact of complaining about what God has given us is always about more than only you and your circumstances. If you’re complaining – either through deeds and/or in your heart – you’re hurting more than yourself. You’re saying to God, “I’m not happy with the life you’ve given to me.” The people around you can feel your discontentment, so why would they want to be like you? You’re unhappy! I don’t think I would have followed Jesus if he was constantly grumbling about why God had sent him down to earth to die for our sins! And Jesus went through the worst of it for us; so, ask God to help you be content in the situations He has given you as opposed to complaining about what you want instead. It makes me think of that verse from 1Timothy 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is an exceptional means of gain.” The gain here is happiness, peace and joy in the holy Ghost! The heavenly gains! I don’t want to desire earthly silver and gold when I can support and encourage the Elishas of God’s kingdom instead. We want our Christ contentment light to shine to support each other!
I don’t know how to end this email, exactly. I knew what God was showing me about my own life and what to change, so I was thankful for that knowledge. But, the bigger realization of this made me cry out to God to help me understand Him more and ask Him to please keep us humble to accept/see where God is in all situations. Life can be tough sometimes; we really go through things in this life that hurt deeply and are confusing. But, we can be happy and content in knowing that God has been and always will be God to us…and for us.
Wendy
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Hi John,
I was reading Deuteronomy this morning, and thought the same thing as Wendy. It cost Israel greatly to grumble in the wilderness. I believe the old man (our flesh) seeks to have something to complain about. Reminds me of what the Spirit has been talking to me about too (which I sang about recently): “I’m fine, you’re fine, everything is fine.” I want to be careful to put that into action. We have so much….. Thank you Wendy for the reminder.
Gary