In the book of Exodus we read how the Israelites were miraculously rescued by God from slavery with the Egyptians. Even though the Israelites witnessed plagues and judgement against the Egyptians, even though the Israelites walked on dry land through the Red Sea, saw the complete destruction of the Egyptian army, and even though God led the Israelites with a cloud by day and fire by night, and provided for their every need, they still grumbled and complained to Moses and Aaron.

Moses told them, your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord (Exodus 16:8).

Yikes!

Ray Pritchard wrote, “Do we understand that complaining is an attack on God’s sovereignty? Every time you complain about your circumstances, you are really saying, ‘If I were God, I would do things differently.’ The complainer has forgotten the first rule of the spiritual life: He’s God and we’re not.”

Oh my. How it must grieve the heart of God when we complain. After reading that verse and the quote by Ray, I found myself trying to be very careful, with my words and my thoughts.

Complaining and grumbling focuses on people, problems, and circumstances, instead of focusing on our almighty, loving God. There is more, much more, than what we can see with our eyes, hear with our ears, or even imagine. God is loving and good, He is always in control, He is sovereign over all, He knows the plans and the future, and all things work together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28).

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for complaining and grumbling. Thank You that You are sovereign and always in control. Thank You that there is a plan and purpose bigger, higher, and better than I can imagine. Please help me so that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart may be pleasing to You (Psalm 19:14).

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NKJV).

Therefore, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” “Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and [questioning and doubting [among yourselves], That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 2:14-15, AMPC).

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