Freedom House Church and Healing Centre

We have no reason to complain

“In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing” (Phil. 2:14)

 Hello Chosen Ones,

Well, here we are, at the start of March. For most of us it’s the official sign that spring is just around the corner. It’s been a particularly harder winter than those of years past with record snowfalls and frigid wind chills, like last night with a temperature of -19^oC, and a windchill near -30 ^oC. Like a good Canadian, I am fleeing to the Caribbean for a two-week holiday from March 6^th to the 21^st. I will be disconnected from the internet during that time so I won’t be writing my weekly blogs, but my elder, Wendy will be sending her blogs in my stead for your edification. 

If there is one thing Canadians like to complain about…it’s the weather: Too hot! Too Cold! Too much snow! By far, the biggest complaint that often makes the news is the terrible job the cities are doing at clearing snow and ice. Oh, how we love to complain! So, as I’m reading through the Bible this year, I am in the book of Numbers and come across these verses: “but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD -- "because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.”(Num. 14:21-23). God is counting! Counting how many times the Israelites doubt God’s faithfulness to provide, and in their doubting complain against Moses and God about a variety of issues. After all the Israelites have seen God do, His incredible deliverance, power, miraculous supply, glorious appearing on the mountain and in the tabernacle, and as a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night – signs and wonders are not enough to stop the complaining. God counts! They have been complaining since they left Egypt, actually even before that (Exodus 5) when Moses announced the deliverance to the Hebrew slaves, and Pharaoh made their labor more difficult – the people complained, and then Moses complained to God. This set the tone for the whole deliverance and desert wanderings. Remember they would rather have stayed slaves than die in the wilderness while waiting for God to part the Red Sea with the Egyptians on their heels (Exodus 14:11-13). Bitter water, hunger, thirst, Moses absence while on the mountain with God - remember the golden calf incident? Over and over again…complaining! In the book of Numbers God’s anger is building as the ungrateful Israelites continue their laments, and it seems to crescendo by chapter 11, when the Israelites complain that all they get is manna (bread from heaven)…they want meat! The people complain (11:4-5); Moses complains to God (11:10-15): “If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now-- if I have found favor in your eyes-- and do not let me face my own ruin” (15). Can you say, “Drama Queen!” Really Moses! Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? God miraculously sends quail to eat, but it makes them sick. God’s patience is running out. Then Moses’ sister and brother complain (speak against) Moses for marrying a second wife – an Ethiopian, and Miriam is struck with leprosy. Aaron repents, Moses intercedes and God heals her after seven days (Num. 12). By the time of the 13^th and 14^th chapter of Numbers, God who is longsuffering, has suffered long enough, He can’t take it no more. He wants spies sent in to spy the land of milk and honey He is taking them to; it has huge clusters of grapes and pomegranates and figs, all symbolizing abundant provision and blessing waiting for them when they enter into their promised land. After 40 days they return from their scouting journey, and confirm to the people the blessings waiting for them. But there is a “nevertheless”, a “but”, a doubt, a complaint. “Ya but…the people are strong, the cities are fortified and there are giants- Anakites!” Here we go! Don’t focus on the blessing, focus on the problem. Then chapter 14: “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!” (14:2). The scene is ugly, getting so bad that they actually want to stone Moses and Aaron (14:10). It’s rebellion at its finest, all initiated by complaining instead of rejoicing for what God has prepared for those who love Him. God is ready to write them all off, but Moses intercedes. Instead of death by pestilence, they will all wander to death in the desert forty years. Caleb and Joshua who had the faith to believe and receive the promised land, and did not complain, will live to see the promise realized.

God has a threshold for enduring complaining, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me.” (14:27). He hears, He sees, He counts, then He acts. 

Complaining demonstrates two things: ungratefulness for God’s provision and His plans/promises; lack of faith in God’s ability to do what He says He will do. Do you know this verse? I bet you do! “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). “All things” in the Greek means “all things” – everything! Just like, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13) and “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19) and “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2Cor. 9:8) and so on.

Do you know that the story of the Israelites’ wanderings were written as examples for us, so we would not be like them, especially complain like them (1Cor. 10:1-10). We have 6,000 years of human history, and God’s workings in the lives of His people, providing, guiding, defending and fulfilling promises. Over and over God has proved to be faithful and trustworthy. What does He require of us with all this testimony of His fulfilled plans at our fingertips? Faith to believe that what He says He will do, He will do. Our job is to avoid complaining like the plague (literally) and praise Him in all things. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3). I admit that I can complain as best as the next guy, but I am convicted that I have nothing to complain about for  “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).

Be blessed!

See you in a couple of weeks.

"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."