IS IT ALL RIGHT TO COMPLAIN?

"I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble." (Psalm 142:1-2, NIV)

What do you do when we get that bad bounce into the water hazard, when your ball is heading straight into the cup and hits a spike mark and lips out, when that big gust of wind comes up just after you hit and knocks your ball down into the bunker? Do you let out a little curse word under your breath? Do you yell out in frustration? Do you grumble and complain the rest of the day because of your bad luck and misfortune?

The Bible very clearly commands us to "do everything without complaining" (Philippians 2:14). Seems pretty simple, right? Whatever we do, just don't complain! However, as I read through the Psalms, I see David, whom the Bible describes as "a man after God's own heart," crying out to the Lord repeatedly. He even poured out his complaints before the Lord time and time again.

So, what does this mean? Is it all right to complain or not?

I believe there is a difference between the complaining that the Apostle Paul was commanding against in the letter to the Philippians and the complaining that David was doing before the Lord. Paul was urging his brothers and sisters in Philippi to be a light and witness by following Jesus' example of humility and living a life of love and unity before others. When Christians complain and argue, our light stops shining so brightly and our witness begins to fade.

David, on the other hand, was humbly and honestly coming to the feet of his Lord and Savior and asking for help during his darkest days. Remember, God had anointed David to become the future King of Israel. This was a promise God made to David through the prophet Samuel. However, David had one major problem. The current king of Israel, Saul, was trying to kill David and not allow him to become the king. As David was running from Saul, he penned many of the Psalms, including Psalm 142, that show him crying out and complaining to God.

David had nowhere else to turn. We find him in his brokenness, prostrate before the Lord and humbly crying out to Him. Yes, he was complaining at times, but in his complaints he showed his absolute dependence on God and God alone.

Listen to David's words as he continued to cry out to the Lord: "Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison that I may praise your name" (Psalm 142:6-7).

Even in the midst of his desperate cry for help, David's ultimate desire is to praise the name of the Lord. So, let me encourage you to follow David's example and cry out to the Lord in your times of need. Even complain if you have to. But remember, as God meets you in those dark times, praise His name and give Him all the glory!

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Steve Burdick

July 9, 2007

Copyright 2007 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.