Even when we do not notice it, day after day we inevitably face situations in which it is up to us to decide whether we will bring forth life or death. See this biblical account in Deuteronomy 30: “See, today I am placing before you lasting life and happiness, or death, destruction and unhappiness! Choose, then, the way of life.”
In Exodus 16, the whole Israelite community began to grumble against Moses and Aaron in the middle of the wilderness. They had only just come out of slavery in Egypt, yet the children of Israel complained to Moses and Aaron: “If only we had died by the hand of Yahweh in the land of Egypt, when we sat beside pots of meat and could eat our fill of bread! Clearly you have brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly starve to death!” (verse 3).
Complaining was the visible cause that brought about the effects of Israel’s idolatry and lack of faith in their God, even after the recent, vivid wonders God had performed, which Israel had witnessed with their own eyes. The result? No one from that generation, except Joshua and Caleb, entered the promised land. They all died!
Being grateful and giving thanks brings life; complaining and being ungrateful brings death. Ingratitude is the sister of complaining. One does not go without the other. You will rarely see someone who is truly grateful complain!
Above all, you should ask yourself one question: Do I complain because I am not grateful, or am I ungrateful because I insist on complaining? I call this a rat race! Be very careful, because without realising it you may be living in an accursed vicious circle. You know those laboratory rats that keep running in a wheel? Well, perhaps, just perhaps, in your own life you are running that “rat race”.
Hugo Jordão
Kingdom Worship Team
