They said to Moses, ‘Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?

Exodus 14:11

With car fluids checked, you are finally taking that road trip you planned months ago. But then, as anyone can attest who’s traveled with passengers too young to drive themselves, the complaints usher forth. “This trip is boring!” “Who remembered to feed my pet goldfish?!” Perhaps you’ve been tempted to make a sharp U-turn, returning home and pledging to never attempt that again. 

Your passengers’ behavior is like the Israelites in this week’s verse. They are essentially whining, “God, why did You rescue us?” 

Perhaps these people deserve a pass. After all, Pharaoh’s chariots have pinned them against the Red Sea, and they’ve never seen how the Charleton Heston film ends. However, turning the page in Exodus, the Israelites are at it again. “You have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” (Exodus 16:3b). Despite their complaint, God sends them food, only for the people to relapse into a hissy fit upon realizing only quail and honey wafers are on the menu at the local Wilderness Cafe. 

This foreshadows the Israelites’ attitude throughout the Old Testament. They witness God’s faithfulness. Then difficulties come (often because of disobedience), and they point the accusatory finger at God. If we are being honest, we can observe the same tendencies in ourselves. We often blame God for our circumstances, even if our own foolish actions cause them (Proverbs 19:2).

So, we shouldn’t blame God, but does this mean we should never complain about the painful experiences we encounter? God wants us to be grieved by the effects of sin. He wants us to cling to Him during the disappointments and tragedies of life. He wants our honest cries. But, as author Eric Raymond points out, there is a difference between complaining to God and complaining about God. 

When we complain about God, we show we don’t trust Him as a good Lord, who will one day redeem this broken world. But when we complain to God, we show our belief that only He can provide us peace to weather the storms we go through. 2 Corinthians 1:5 says, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too.” 

This week, don’t accuse or run from your Comforter. Run to Him. Give Him your honest complaints, all while trusting His love toward you as His child.