JUL 31

Proverbs 30:8-9
Memorise Philippians 2:14-15
“your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.”

By nature we are a people who love to complain. We complain when it’s too hot, too wet, too cold, when we’re too free, too hungry, too full, too busy, etc., the list just goes on. It seems we’re never content. When we have nothing better to do, we just enjoy sitting around griping about a certain teacher, or the load of schoolwork we have, or just generally about how life is so difficult and tedious.

We also love to blame. We seek to pinpoint a target upon which we can vent our frustration upon. We blame our teachers, our parents, our friends. It seems everyone is against you, and everyone is at fault, except of course, you yourself.

But if you stop for a moment to consider and ask, who is the one that is really in control of all things? Who controls the weather, the traffic, even the situations that control your teacher’s disposition? Who is the one who placed you in the circumstances that you are facing, and who is the one who allows you to go through life’s trials? I’m sure you know the answer – it is God! Thus when we complain, realise that you are complaining against God, and when you blame others, who you really are blaming is the one who is sovereign over all things, again, God!

It is for this reason, that Agur, when he wrote Proverbs 30:8-9, made a very wise prayer request. Above all, he wanted to be an obedient servant of God. He did not want any circumstances to come his way that would cause him to take the name of God in vain. Therefore his desire was that he be neither too rich nor too poor, but simply have sufficient according to his needs. His fear was that if he had too much, he might forget God, and if he had too little, he might be tempted to steal, and complain, and thus take the name of God in vain, and by his words and actions bring shame to the name of God.

For us, we have to likewise be careful that we do not be tempted by our situations that we face to murmur and complain, and blame God.

Thought: Every time I complain, I am actually blaming God, and taking His name in vain!
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn that godliness with contentment is great gain, and to really learn to be content with all that You give me.