Daily Devotional
Numbers 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
What is the point of complaining if it does not give you the result that you want to see? Biblical evidence shows that each time that the Israelites complained during their time in the wilderness, the result was never something that they wanted. They did this in Numbers 11:1 and the scripture said that the anger of the Lord kindled against them such that a fire went out and consumed them. Something similar also happened in Numbers 21:5-6 when they spoke against Moses and God, and God sent a fiery serpent among them such that many of them died.
A third incident was in Numbers 14:2, after they received the bad report from the 10 spies, the result was that it was determined by God that they would spend 40 years in the wilderness and all those who were above the age of 20, except Joshua and Caleb, would not see the promised land, but instead die in the wilderness. What the scripture repeatedly showed us was that the complaining of the Israelites produced a result that they did not want to see.
Based on the experience of the Israelites there are three (3) reasons we should stay away from complaining. The top reason is that complaining displeases God, that is evident in Numbers 11: The complaining of the Israelites displeased God and His wrath was kindled against them.
The second reason we should not complain is that it creates an environment where dreams and relationships decrease or die. Each time the Israelites complained this was what happened.
Another reason we should not complain is that it puts us in a negative mindset that causes us to speak and receive the opposite of what we want to see.
Replace complaints by asking for what you want to see. Matthew 7:7 never said complain and ye shall receive, it said Ask and ye shall receive. Let us do that instead.
Life Application: If you have a tendency of complaining make a personal commitment to practice asking for what you want instead of complaining. Back that up with by making a list of all the things you have complained about in the past and prayerfully strategize the best way to ask for each.
Prayer: Lord, through your word it is obvious that you do not like when we complain because it shows that we do not have faith in you. Help us to ask for what we want and believe that we shall have what we ask for as long as it is in your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Daily Devotional 
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