DO YOU GRUMBLE?

Do all things without complaining and grumbling.

Philippians 2:14

A lawyer, a doctor, and a preacher went deer hunting together when along came a big buck. The three of them all shot at the same time, and immediately the buck dropped to the ground. They all rushed up to examine the deer but couldn't determine whose shot had actually killed it. They were in the middle of a heated argument when a game warden came by and asked what the problem was. The doctor told him that they were debating who shot the buck. The warden took one look at the buck and immediately pronounced, “The preacher shot the buck!” They all wondered how he knew that so quickly. To which the warden said, “Easy. The bullet went in one ear and out the other.”

Now, before you start grumbling about beginning this devotional with a joke, read Exodus 16:1-21. What did you find? The heat, the dwindling supplies and most importantly, a lack of trust in the Lord lead them to grumbling. Why do people grumble? The bottom line is that it’s a form of ingratitude, and we’re saying God’s not taking care of His business well enough. It’s an assault on God. That’s clear from v. 8. Grumbling against God means that we do not trust Him; we do not have confidence in Him.

Now, let’s be clear that there is a huge difference between grumbling and groaning. Job groaned. Groaning is saying, “This is really difficult, Lord!” Grumbling is saying, “You are really difficult, Lord!” Groaning says, “I want something different, please!” Grumbling says, “I want someone else besides You!” Memorize Philippians 2:14 today.

Ike Graham