i

January 8 Daily Devotional

Stop Complaining

Peter G. Feenstra

So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 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!” (Numbers 14:1–2)

Bible Reading

Numbers 14:1–3, 26–29

Devotional

Do you find yourself complaining a lot about everything in your life? As much as we try not to, we tend to grumble and complain about life’s annoyances to anyone who will listen. When we complain we are often looking for sympathy and support. As people of God we are not immune to complaining. One of the key words in the book of Numbers is “complain.” The whole congregation complains and they direct their words against Moses and Aaron—as if these leaders were appointed to be the Lord’s complaint department.

The book of Numbers opens with Israel at Mount Sinai. The book ends some forty years later with Israel in the plains of Moab ready to enter the Promised Land. Tremendous comfort is given to the people of Israel as they travel through the wilderness. The Lord is with them. The camp formation is a clear indication of God’s central position in the life of His covenant people. The Ark of the Covenant is at the centre, surrounded by representatives of each of the twelve tribes. Every time Israel moves forward they are assured of the Lord’s presence. Although they have been in the wilderness they are not without hope. The Lord will see to it that they are prepared to enter the Promised Land. He will keep them and protect them so they can arrive safely at their destination. There is no reason to complain since God’s purpose in Christ will be fulfilled.

The love and grace of the Lord is brought out all the more clearly when we take into consideration how often He listens to His people’s complaints. The Lord gives graciously, and the people grumble. Numbers 14:27 tells us how displeased God is to hear this. He says, “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.”

The book of Numbers reminds us to stop complaining and to start confessing God’s faithfulness; the work of salvation is entirely accomplished as an act of God’s sovereign grace. Numbers reveals the magnitude of Israel’s sins in stark contrast to the Lord’s triumphs over Israel’s failures. May what we learn from God’s Word turn our tendency to complain into a heartfelt desire to confess God’s grace in Christ.

For further information about this resource, click here.

 

CONTACT US

+1 215 830 0900

Contact Form

Find a Church