“And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.’” (rf. Exod. 16:8 ESV)
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (rf. Php. 2:14-15 ESV)
As a theologically Reformed minister and pastor of a Reformed church, I unashamedly and wholeheartedly believe and affirm the Biblical doctrine of predestination. I am fully persuaded that God set forth before the beginning of time His plan and will for all that has transpired from Creation to the end of time as we find in the book of Revelation. He either directs or allows all things to occur, including all perceived good and bad things, like the weaving of a beautiful tapestry which often has a dark background to better illumine the lighter threads. He is not the author of evil, but uses our enemy, Satan, his minions and the evil they perpetuate to accomplish His holy ends. He is providentially in control of all things at all times, including us as part of His Creation. There is nothing that touches our lives that He does not allow nor do these difficult circumstances slip through His protective defenses of His people. Though some view it otherwise and often take it out of context, I personally find the sovereignty of Almighty God and His predestining actions a great source of comfort and peace because I know the goal of His movements and allowances are in my best interests along with all of His children. As Romans 8:28-29 states clearly,
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren…”
With these truths in place and our faith placed in His wisdom, where then is there any room for complaining and “bellyaching” in the heart and life of the Christian? As Moses clearly says in Exod. 16:8 (as quoted above), when we complain, “…Your (our) grumbling is…against the Lord”. We easily overlook the many blessings that we presently possess in favor of looking with longing at the blessings of others with great envy (another sin, mind you), filling our hearts with ingratitude and making ourselves (and those around us) miserable. What we are not seeing is our own dishonor of Almighty God and His purposes being played out in our lives.
Note again what the Apostle Paul says in the passage above from Romans: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose…” Our present experience, whether good or bad, whether we are the victim of other’s actions or suffering from our own foolishness and pride, nothing of what we are going through is outside the parameters of His will for us. We are EXACTLY where He wants us to be right now. He has lessons, important lessons, He wants us to learn from these experiences. If we are submissive to His leadership and oversight, we will get through the hard times sooner. If we complain, become bitter, and rebel against His wisdom, the lessons will only be multiplied and our difficulties increase for us. If we are experiencing overwhelming blessing, He wants us to appreciate each moment and know that these “good gifts” come from Him alone (rf. Jas. 1:17) and not from our own making.
Out of our appreciation for His control and oversight of our lives we should then have attitudes that constantly, whether in good times or bad, reflect our thankfulness for His Presence in our lives. Complaining should be as far from the life of the believer in Christ as “the east is from the west” (rf. Ps 103:12 NASB). Grumbling, venting, bellyaching should not be pieces found in the repertoire. Rather, we should be thankful in all circumstances, appreciative to the Lord for life and for being with us “through thick and thin”. He has put us here on purpose, placed us in our present situation with goals for us in mind, and has promised “never to leave nor forsake us” (rf. Heb. 13:5 NKJV). Thus, we should trust Him and have positive attitudes while we await further disclosure as to His designs for us.
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