Field Of Dreams: Delays– Complaint

Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, 'Oh, that we had died by the Hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.'

Exodus 16:2-3 (NKJV)

Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused.

Numbers 11:1 (NKJV)

Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.

Exodus 16:8 (NKJV)

To complain about our circumstances is to complain about our Perfect Lord!

Because the circumstances we dislike… are the same ones He allows--to test us or teach us something hard… we need to learn. 

As a complainer in recovery, I used to indulge in many gripe fests.

When I found Jesus (at the late-in-life age of 51)... an uncomfortable discovery began to hit me in my fighting face: a jab from the Righteous Right Hand of God. I searched the Bible for circumstances when public complaints might be justified.

Guess how many I discovered? ZERO. It's not on His list of ways we should act– even in the worst of situations.

Sadly, some forget His behavior code. Instead of working hard to pass our tests, we gripe about them.

We may win a semblance of victory, because the world can reward complainers. But GOD DOES NOT--and success by His Hand will be delayed until spoiled kids grow up.

After their wondrous escape from Egypt, God’s children complained continually--until all the adult complainers died… and a new generation could be raised. *

Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Don't complain about… 

  • The size of your stage,

  • The length of your trip,

  • The wait for success,

  • The hardships you face,

  • The comforts you left,

  • The bookings you want,

  • The jobs you don’t get,

  • Or why it’s so hard!

If you’re following THE Rock Star closely, expect challenges. He said they would come.

‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).

Therefore…

'Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world' (Philippians 2:14-15).

But 'In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you' (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Field Of Dreams: Delays–Complaint (Part 6)

* Because of their complaining, all adult men aged 20 and over who left Egypt to follow Moses toward the Promised Land would die in the wilderness (except Joshua and Caleb): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2014:29-34&version=NKJV

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban