Count Your Complaints

1 Corinthians 10:1-5  Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

The people of God  started out surrendered but finished up bewildered.  That’s the work of the Devil.  Satan is a master at scattering families and churches, at dividing and conquering.  The people of God had been rescued and had been sheltered safe in the arms of God, but  were soon scattered far and wide.  What happened?  They were under the cloud and passed thru the sea.  They ate and drank the same spiritual food.  The Lord God was with them. But with many of them God was not pleased.  They complained about at the report of spies who searched out Canaan.  They wished they had died in the wilderness.  They wanted to choose a captain and go back to Egypt. 

And, so, they were scattered.  It’s hard to imagine, knowing what we know from scripture, that these folks couldn’t see the hand of God in their lives.  These few verses attempt to describe the protection of God’s people as they were “under the cloud and all passed through the sea.”  Yet many, if not most, complained.  And how are we any different today?  Very little.  

Just for fun, take a minute and think of all the ways you are blessed.  Think of all the things God has brought you through.  Think of all the good people God has placed in your life.  Count your blessings.  

And then, for a minute or two, count your complaints.  The house is too small.  The car is to old.  Prices are too high.  The kids are too high maintenance.  The job is too demanding.  The paycheck is too small.  The list of complaints is much too long.  

Can we, like God’s people in the wilderness, not see God’s hand?  Too often, we can’t or don’t.  Rather than resting in His protection, we are focused on the problems.  God help us.