"Complaining: The Trap That Keeps You From Your Promised Land"

Even in the face of unimaginable suffering and loss, Job never lost his faith in God, refusing to curse Him even when things seemed hopeless. His complaining, however, is in stark contrast to the New Testament teachings that urge us to have faith and perseverance rather than complaining. Let's dive into Job's story and some supporting scriptures to learn more!

In the seventh chapter of Job, we see his friend Bildad chastising him for complaining, urging him to trust in God's justice and righteousness. However, Job continued to lament his suffering, failing to

fully trust in God:

Job 7:11 says, "Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." This is part of Job's response to his friend Eliphaz, as he laments the pain and suffering he has experienced and questions why God has allowed it to happen to him. While it's understandable that Job was struggling during such a difficult time, his complaining was preventing him from having true faith in God that is now a requirement in our New Testament living.

Furthermore, we see in the Old Testament book of Numbers how the Hebrews' complaining prevented them from crossing into the promised land. When God led the Israelites out of Egypt and towards the land of Canaan, they repeatedly complained about their hardships and even wished they could return to slavery.

One instance of the Hebrews being prohibited from entering the Promised Land due to their complaining can be found in Numbers 14:26-30. In this passage, after the Israelites had explored the land of Canaan, they complained about the giants and the strong defenses of the cities, expressing their desire to go back to Egypt. As a result, God declared that none of the adults from that generation who had left Egypt would enter the Promised Land, except for Caleb and Joshua. Instead, they would all die in the wilderness over the course of the next 40 years, until their children were old enough to enter the land.

In Numbers 14:26-30 says:

"And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in."

Despite all of his suffering, Job's lesson teaches us to never curse God, no matter how bad life gets. Instead, we should place our trust in Him and have faith in His plan for our lives. In our modern culture, we must remember that complaining is not God's will for our lives, and that faith is what will bring us closer to Him:

Hebrews 11:6, says, "And without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

As we walk through our journey of faith, let us emulate Job's endurance in choosing love over cursing. At the same time, let us also strive to have the unwavering faith of Abraham, Rahab, and all those who are part of Jesus' lineage.

Amanda Allen

Write & Blogger

www.KingdomRevelations.com

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