“But there was no water for the people to drink, so they quarreled with Moses and said “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” (Exodus 17:1-2 NIV)
I have a child who does this, who insists on stating the obvious in complaint as though we as parents have failed to provide every single need thus far. As a mother, it’s frustrating, sometimes infuriating. I want to ask this child, when have you gone without? Why, after almost two decades of consistent care, can you not just relax and trust me?
I imagine that is how God felt, and maybe Moses, too. They had worked together long enough to establish a baseline of trust. Moses knew he didn’t need to complain to make God move. He operated under the assumption that God know his needs and was already moving on his behalf. He believed that the God of the universe could and would meet his basic needs.
Complaining doesn’t hurry along the gift. Complaining only agitates the heart of the Giver. He’s God. He knows what we need. It’s okay to ask, to present our requests, but griping and bickering won’t make Him move any faster.
I can’t speak for God, but when I hear complaint and argument it alters my good plan as a parent. I’ll be working on a surprise or a treat and when whining comes along, I scale it back. I don’t reward bellyaching.
It seems God took His complaining kids around the long way when attitudes got bad. I wonder if He didn’t also adjust the meal plan? What might they have enjoyed if they’d only trusted Him? He will use our circumstances to correct our attitudes. He’s a wise and patient parent.
How many years must we follow our Father before we fully trust Him? How long did Moses spend in the wilderness alone before He led the Israelites? It seems we must see God’s faithful provision over and over before we trust Him enough to stop complaining completely. Complaint is, ultimately a sign of immaturity of our faith. I write that and wince. I have a long way to grow myself.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11 NIV)
Contentment comes from complete trust: total surety that God will meet all needs according to His riches and glory, according to His character and faithfulness.
Lord, help us abandon complaint completely. Use this shared wilderness experience to convince us of Your faithfulness. We look back and see You steady provision, help us to trust it in the days ahead. We know we can ask questions, we can make requests, but please guard our hearts against griping as we follow you to the Promised Land. Refine us along the route. Ready us to share Your home forever. Amen.