What Is Your Complaint?

Do all things without complaining and disputing . . . (Philippians 2:14, NKJ)

Good Morning!

In attempt to get some gas for my car, I found myself in the middle of an argument at a gas station. Apparently a customer did not agree with the price of gas and let the young attendant know it. The young attendant (the state of Oregon mandates attendants at most gas stations) tried to explain that his job was to serve customers and pump the gas; however he had nothing to do with the prices. The customer refused to listen, telling the attendant the prices did not serve the community, listing complaints which became down-right mean and accusatory.

I don’t think the complaining did any good for either individual—

The customer revved up his car’s motor and sped out of the gas station. JUST A THOUGHT . . . his actions burnt up his expensive fuel quickly. Oh well . . . no one asked me. . .

Meanwhile, back at the pumps . . . the young attendant literally shook from head to toe, obviously impacted by the discussion. I think he intended to ask how he could serve me; however, he asked, “What is your complaint?”
Poor guy . . . he was trying to do his job.

The Apostle Paul wrote a command to the early Christ followers, “Do all things without complaining and disputing . . .” Yikes! The command to do all things without complaining and disputing is huge, seemingly impossible. Humanity has argued and complained throughout the ages.

Remember the miraculous exodus from Egypt? God had freed His beloved children (Israel) from centuries of enslavement. When the tough times came, even the toughest complained. They were thirsty.
You know the drill:
I’m thirsty. . .
I want a drink of water now. . .
Even our animals are thirsty . . .
The complaining became so powerful that their leader, Moses, feared he would be stoned.
The LORD said to Moses, "Take your shepherd's staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile. Then call some of the leaders of Israel and walk on ahead of the people.
I will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come pouring out. Then the people will be able to drink." Moses did just as he was told; and as the leaders looked on, water gushed out.
Moses named the place Massah -- "the place of testing" -- and Meribah -- "the place of arguing" -- because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD going to take care of us or not?" (Exodus 17:3-7, NLT)

God provided water from the rocks and saved Moses from being beaten to death with rocks.
What if Israel had trusted?
What miracle would have occurred?

Israel’s complaints became a barrier to recognizing the power of being in a relationship with the Creator of the universe. A specific place, Meribah, became a symbol of arguing and complaining, rather than ruthless trust and peace in the provisional power of God.The episode of complaining will be remembered throughout the ages of time!

Nothing is impossible with God. With God, humanity can live without complaints and arguing.
Determine if your mindset and actions are based on dissatisfaction and/or complaints.
Be honest. What is your complaint?
Meditate on the gushing water from the rocks.
Surrender complaints through the power of the Spirit.
Ask the Spirit to provide the strength to trust God.
Trust God.

Learning with you to trust God, surrendering every complaint,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)