“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” – Psalm 142:1-2 (NIV)
When David was fleeing from Saul, he would often cry out to the Lord in desperation. Tired of being on the run, tired of being caught between the Philistine soldiers and Saul’s men, occasionally he would complain to God. But that didn’t mean that David didn’t trust the Lord. He knew that he had God’s ear. He knew the Lord cared about him and would lead him through whatever situation he was in. David was just expressing frustration while seeking God’s mercy and guidance.
But David had faith!
What a stark contrast however between David’s complaint to the Lord and the Israelites’ grumbling to Moses while in the wilderness…
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: In this wilderness your bodies will fall – every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness.” – Numbers 14:26-32
God is clearly not a fan of grumbling. And unfortunately for the Israelites, He’d heard enough, calling them wicked and faithless.
Moses, tell the people this: All of you grumblers who are twenty years and older – you will die in this wilderness! You will not complete this journey to the land I promised. Your children will leave you behind and enjoy the land that you have rejected!
The Israelites clearly had no faith. Their complaining went far beyond just expressing mere frustration and asking for mercy and guidance. They continuously showed anger and outrage against Moses, Aaron, and God.
Friend, the Lord knows all about the stress you might be dealing with at work. He is well aware of your dwindling bank account balance. He knows that things at home could be better. He knows all about the unreliable car you’re depending on to get to and fro.
Whatever it is, He knows all about it. So take it to the Lord. Thank Him for what you already have, and then share your troubles with Him and ask for His guidance and help. And then, thank Him for making a way for you, whatever the need is. And then just be patient and have faith! It will work out.
Don’t grumble.
Just pray.
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Former Blackout Artist 