Wine Anyone?

29 Jul 2009 1 Comment

by Rest Ministries in Devotionals2 Tags: Chronic Immune Dysfunction Syndrome chronic, complain, hopekeepers, illness, pain, rest ministries, suffer, Tammi, trial

“Do everything without complaining or arguing…” (Philippians. 2:14 NIV)

When God brings unwanted trials into our lives, like chronic illness and pain, it’s very difficult not to grumble and complain. I struggle with this on a daily basis. It’s so easy to grumble against our circumstances, failed treatments, expensive doctors that can’t seem to help us get better, having to rest so much, a lack of concern from our churches, friends or family, and the list goes on. Not to mention the fact that our illnesses make every task difficult and sometimes even impossible to accomplish. There are definitely many temptations to complain, but God commands us to have a different attitude.

In Numbers 14, the Israelites had just received a bad report from some of the men who had gone to spy out Canaan, the Promised land. From the Desert of Paran, Moses had sent one leader from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to explore the land. Only two of the men, Joshua and Caleb, came back with a positive report (Num. 13:30). That night, all the Israelites, who were wimpy anyway, raised their voices and wept. They grumbled against Moses and Aaron, but they were really grumbling against God. Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole assembly knowing that, because of God’s justice, His great wrath would be kindled against them. They pleaded for God’s mercy (Num. 14:5). God granted their request by not completely destroying them, but He sent a plague that killed the Israelites who had brought back the bad report (Num. 14:36-37). Only Joshua and Caleb survived.

This Scriptural illustration indicates how seriously God views complaining. However discouraging or disheartening our circumstances may be, they are sent from God’s hand (Isa. 45:7, Job 42:11), and we must pray daily for grace to hold our tongues and learn to “give thanks in all circumstances” (II Thess. 5:18). Instead of complaining, we need to have the attitude of Samuel Rutherford, a Scottish minister in the 1600’s, who once said, “Whenever I am in the cellar of affliction, I always look for the wine.”

Dear Father, in the midst of our suffering, give us grace to hold our tongues and not complain against You.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tammi writes: I have suffered with CFIDS “Chronic Immune Dysfunction Syndrome” for sixteen years, but continue to trust in the Lord that one day I will be significantly better or completely well again. Like many of you, I have endured a recent setback due to another failed treatment. Perhaps God is using this trial to give me new material to write about and/or to teach me more about patience, perseverance and His grace. I am very grateful that God’s mercies are new every morning; GREAT is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23).

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