August 3, 2002

I had a dream the other day that I was walking along talking to someone when the Lord spoke to me and said, "My people have always fallen back into murmuring."  As He said that to me, I said to the person I was walking with, "God’s people have always fallen back into murmuring."  I knew what He meant right away.  I knew He was referring to the Old Testament when the Israelites murmured and complained over and over after they were led out of Egypt.  After all God did for them, they still found something to gripe about!

I knew immediately that the Lord meant the Church today has done that as well.  Even after all Jesus Christ has done for us.  After all God has brought us through, we still fall into murmuring and complaining.  Not the unbelievers.  Not those who don’t know Him.  But His people.  That’s what He said, "My people have always fallen back into murmuring."

The Lord is very patient and kind.  His very nature is loving-kindness and longsuffering.  But I realized how much it displeases the Lord when we murmur and complain.  God was not happy with the Israelites when they murmured and doubted that they could enter into the Promised Land.  Those who doubted and complained never made it in!

"Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves]," Philippians 2:14 Amplified Bible

Everything we do, whatever it is, no matter what, we should do without grumbling, finding fault, complaining against God or questioning and doubting.  Do we take advantage of God’s mercy and patience by murmuring?  If I know He’s forgiving do I not make a diligent enough effort not to complain?  Even though He’s forgiving do we think it doesn’t hurt Him when we have bitterness in our hearts?  Do we think because He’s God He’s beyond being hurt by our actions?

I don’t say all this to try and make anyone feel bad.  I know the enemy loves to try and bury us in guilt at times.  He loves to point out all the areas we displease the Lord and fall short.  And God knows all the times we’ve failed (and will fail), that’s why He sent Jesus.  But if we say we love Him then we need to follow His ways.  We need to follow His example of love, mercy and forgiveness and make a choice not to complain about anything.  Instead of murmuring and complaining we can make the choice to put on an attitude of love and put our trust in Him instead!