Complaining Shows a Lack of Trust in God - Numbers 9-11 and Mark 5:1-20
Complaining comes naturally. It is a reaction of our flesh when something does not go our way. It is easy to complain, and it is easy to think that complaining is alright. However, complaining shows a lack of trust in God. God does not like complaining. In fact, God punishes us when we complain to teach us to stop complaining and to start trusting Him. Think about this as you read these passages, and see what God says to you personally about complaining and trusting.
The Israelites trusted God by keeping the Passover for the second time. They trusted God by following the pillar of cloud and fire that stood over the Tabernacle. They followed the instructions of Moses about the silver trumpets. When the priests blew the trumpets, the people knew what to do, whether it was to assemble as a group or to assemble the leaders, or to break camp or to go to battle. It was wonderful to see them follow the Lord's direction and to trust Him. However, they complained about the lack of meat. They complained about the manna. Their complaining even caused Moses stress and, he poured out his stress to God in what sounded a lot like a complaint. What did God do? He gave Moses the instructions about the 70 elders to help him with the people. God killed some of the people, but He did give them meat to eat. Why? He was showing them that they could trust Him, instead of complaining. He was trying to get them to trust Him first, instead of complaining first. That is a lesson for all of us.
I have always marvelled at the story of Legion in Mark 5. What a miracle! It was obvious that Jesus completely changed a man who made been totally uncontrollable. However, in the process a herd of swine was killed. Therefore, the people did not trust God, but they complained. They sent Jesus away before more of their animals were killed. They did not care about the man. They cared about their money. However, the demon possessed man was set free. He was grateful to God, and he wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus told him no. Did this man complain? He did not complain. He trusted God's plan, and he went to tell others what Jesus had done for him. How often, do we act like the people who lost the pigs, instead of acting like this man? It should make us ashamed to complain. We should realize that we are failing to trust God, and that breaks His heart. We should pray and ask God to break the habit of complaining in our lives. We should confess it as sin and start showing trust in Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 12-14 and Mark 5:21-43.
The Israelites trusted God by keeping the Passover for the second time. They trusted God by following the pillar of cloud and fire that stood over the Tabernacle. They followed the instructions of Moses about the silver trumpets. When the priests blew the trumpets, the people knew what to do, whether it was to assemble as a group or to assemble the leaders, or to break camp or to go to battle. It was wonderful to see them follow the Lord's direction and to trust Him. However, they complained about the lack of meat. They complained about the manna. Their complaining even caused Moses stress and, he poured out his stress to God in what sounded a lot like a complaint. What did God do? He gave Moses the instructions about the 70 elders to help him with the people. God killed some of the people, but He did give them meat to eat. Why? He was showing them that they could trust Him, instead of complaining. He was trying to get them to trust Him first, instead of complaining first. That is a lesson for all of us.
I have always marvelled at the story of Legion in Mark 5. What a miracle! It was obvious that Jesus completely changed a man who made been totally uncontrollable. However, in the process a herd of swine was killed. Therefore, the people did not trust God, but they complained. They sent Jesus away before more of their animals were killed. They did not care about the man. They cared about their money. However, the demon possessed man was set free. He was grateful to God, and he wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus told him no. Did this man complain? He did not complain. He trusted God's plan, and he went to tell others what Jesus had done for him. How often, do we act like the people who lost the pigs, instead of acting like this man? It should make us ashamed to complain. We should realize that we are failing to trust God, and that breaks His heart. We should pray and ask God to break the habit of complaining in our lives. We should confess it as sin and start showing trust in Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 12-14 and Mark 5:21-43.