GRUMBLING

The dictionary offers these definitions for the word 'grumble' ...

To show one’s unhappiness or critical attitude.
To make complaining remarks or noises under one’s breath.
To murmur or mutter in discontent; complain sullenly.

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. Jude 1:16

Even though God delivered them from slavery, even though they witnessed the parting of the Red Sea and passed through on dry land, even though the Lord provided daily sustenance in the wilderness ... the children of Israel grumbled.

All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, ’Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!' Numbers 14:2

Like them, Christians are under God's providential care. We too seem to wander a barren landscape between where we were (as slaves to sin) and where we long to be (a promised heavenly home). And much like the Children of Israel, we sometimes grumble as if the Lord is not doing 'right' by us. 

This is sin.

Billy Graham - Grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, in conflict. Be grateful and you won’t grumble. Grumble and you won’t be grateful. 

1) Recall all the blessings you have received at God's hand. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, for life itself is a gift. 

2) Don’t judge yourself by the way God treats others. The Lord isn't bound by the world's standard of 'fairness'. All envy is to be put away. 

3) Remember that God rewards 'faithfulness', not 'production'. We tend to reduce the Christian life to a mechanical process ... the 'doing' of prayer, bible study, and service. But the Lord looks at 'motive'.

You may be surprised by the order of things at the judgment seat of Christ ... So the last shall be first, and the first last: (Matthew 20:16)

The world says, “What did you do?” 

God says, “Why did you do it?”
The world says, “Show me your stuff.” 

God says, “Show me your heart.”