A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Wednesday,
June 23,
2021
"I
Can Complain"
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"And
because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue
to rejoice" (Philippians 1:18). "Do everything
without complaining" (Philippians 2:14). "Rejoice in
the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
(Philippians 4:4).
We are
often politely asked, "How are you doing today?" After
all, at least here in the US, it’s the typical social
greeting we use to initiate a conversation. At this
question many provide the expected response, “I’m
fine, thank you” without really giving it much
thought.
But
another common response is, "I can't complain". We
could counter that response with, "Well actually you
can complain since we have a 1st Amendment right to
free speech". Truth be told, at any given time, there
is always something to complain about if that’s
our focus.
Of
course there are also those who
are going
through a tough time and in these situations we want
people to express themselves while we walk alongside
them as burden bearers (Galatians 6:2). This should be
our Christian response to those we encounter daily.
Let me ask you a candid question. Have you complained about anything thus far today? I'm not only speaking of verbal murmurings expressed to others, but inner complaining within your own heart. (Aren't you glad you don’t have to answer that question, at least where others might hear!) Life is jam packed with opportunities to complain if we so choose. I suspect this is true wherever we live; regardless of what situations we endure or the conditions in which we live. However each day, really, each moment we have a major outlook choice; we can rejoice or complain. Jim Gambini, who was our pastor for several years when we first moved to Lancaster County made an interesting observation: "Essentially, complaining is accusing God of not doing it right". Think
about that statement in light of God's providential
dealings in your life. Isn't the traffic jam
ultimately under God's control? What about that
annoying associate at work? If God is really in
control (and I sure believe He is), complaining is
essentially accusing God of not doing it right. It's
like telling God, "You are getting this all wrong. How
about doing it right this time the way I want it?"
We wouldn't dare say those words, but our attitude often conveys such a disrespectful discourse, when we find ourselves grumbling to God. It's easy to criticize the Israelite's frequent murmurings and thankless hearts as they journeyed to the Promised Land, but we do the same, far more often, as we journey toward our promised land. We encourage you to read this Scripture carefully: "The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks" (Acts 16:22-24). Try to imagine, even empathize with Paul and Silas' ordeal; physically, emotionally and spiritually. Their exterior circumstances in this single experience is a more traumatic trial than I've known in my 66 years of life. Look at the key words describing their situation: attacked, stripped, beaten, severely flogged, thrown in prison, guarded carefully, inner cell, feet fastened in stocks. This injustice took place in Philippi. If anyone ever had uncomfortable and unwarranted conditions to complain about, Paul and Silas sure did! But the very next verse tells us just what they did: "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25). Paul later wrote a letter to the church in Philippi and gives two simple straightforward commands: "Do everything without complaining" (Philippians 2:14) and "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). He sure had the credibility to make these statements! It's very easy to make super-heroes out of these disciples of Christ, but they were human just like us. The Scriptures do not speak of their complaining or murmuring, but it's possible they did initially (we really don't know). But we do know that their prevailing outlook led them to conclude that God is worthy of our praise no matter how miserable or unjust the circumstance! We are to glorify God in the good and bad, for "no one lives unto himself" (Romans 14:7). Onlookers see our countenance and observe our attitudes which provides for us an opportunity to glorify God and serves as a witness to others of the overall perspective Christ brings into our lives.* Today we all have an outlook choice. You can complain or rejoice: "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" This is a proclamation every single one of us can make this day and every day! Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we're told to do
everything without complaining, so that we shine
like stars in the universe. We know that people
are drawn to light where brightness is present
and warmth is extended. Help our conversation to
be full of grace, tenderness, light, and truth
so that others see Christ at work in our lives.
May we be as a sweet aroma to You and those whom
we meet on our life's journey. Give us an
enduring spirit when matters press in on us and
grace to see us through to victory. In Jesus'
name we pray. Amen.
*
Notice the latter part of Acts 16:25, "and
the other prisoners were listening to them".
What type of influence did their expression of
praise have on these other prisoners as well as
the jailer. (See Acts 16:26ff)
Brooksyne’s
footnote: In Exodus 16:1 the Israelites
came to the Wilderness of Sin on the fifteenth
day of the second month of their release from
the Egyptians. Within verse 2 of this narration
the people began to complain to Moses about
their food and overall living conditions and
Moses reminded them that they were ultimately
complaining to God though he was the frustrated
human mediator that got pummeled with their
attacking jabs and ingratitude. I got to
thinking about how easy it is, once we begin to
complain, to be like the Israelites in their
wilderness wanderings. Once we subject ourselves
to bitterly complaining about our lot in life
it’s easy to explore every possible territory
where we might be slighted, so much so that we
might find ourselves in the wilderness of sin.
So when I’m going there with my thoughts and my
words, I want to remind myself of this passage
and ask, “Is that which I am complaining about
ultimately a complaint against God?” If so, I
need to align my expectations with the ultimate
plan God has for me. “God will never lead you
where His grace cannot keep you” was true for
the Israelites and it’s also true for us today!
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Rejoice in the Lord (a cappella)" Video The Hamilton Family Yesterday we shared a photo of
Sunday, a reader from Nigeria. Doris High,
a local friend responded,
"The young man
from Lagos, Nigeria, captured my
attention. My uncle and aunt (Bob and Anna
Mary Hess) were missionaries to Nigeria
when I was a young woman. He was a school
teacher. I wonder if this young man\'s
parents or grandparents were taught by
him. They lived in or near Lagos."
That question reminds us of the
ripple effect of our ministry.
Earlier this spring we shared
how the property across from us had been
sold and the trees along the walking path
had been removed. Here's a photo from the
other night. We hope the grass gets a bit
wider but are pleased the path is still
open.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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