Complaint or complaining?

“I’m afraid to pour out my complaint to God.”

Her words, spoken quietly, came in response to a discussion on suffering. Others nodded in agreement. David’s words, though admired, seemed somehow distant to us.

“I poured out my complaint.” Ps 142:2

How do you pour out your complaint with out showing disrespect or lack of faith? How can we overcome the timidity? Does God care?

“He already knows what you are thinking, so tell him your complaint.” It was a formidable, even reasonable, reply from the group leader but apprehension still lingered on many hearts.

Could God actually invite us to complain? Why then were those who murmured and complained in the wilderness sentenced to die before they ever saw the Promised Land? Is this the cause of our reluctance? Those questions gave rise to another in my own heart. “Is there a difference between a complaint and complaining?” I set my heart to find out.

The next day I found a startling discovery.

Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and moan, and He will hear my voice. Ps 55:17 NRSV

Later in the same chapter, David gives a word of instruction and a declarative promise.

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you: He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Ps 55:22 NRSV

The thoughts and questions tumbled about like competing athletes. What is the distinction? What makes one complainer fall dead and the other stand declaring the faithfulness of God? Has David shown us the key and the motive for presenting a complaint?

He will hear my voice!

David taps out the distinction like a SOS distress call in Morse code. Three dots, three dashes, three dots came to mean Save Our Souls but what response would have come if a portion of code had been omitted? David’s cry for help had three elements as well. Complaint, followed by moaning and sealed with faith, “He will hear MY voice.”

Is that a faith infused confession or not? Then it hit me! The murmuring and complaining which left dead bodies in the wake came from hearts which did not believe God would act. David presented his complaint in full acknowledgement of God’s righteousness and His faithfulness to His covenant children.

My heart was singing a new song. He will hear my voice! Therefore, I shall make my complaint known to Him. Faith was rising and understanding was coming. It was then the Holy Spirit brought another passage to mind.

If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame. NSRV Pr 1 8:13

Could David have known this character trait of God? Do we? Is the answer withheld because God has not heard us present a complaint believing He will answer? Those who murmur and complain do not ask for help. They simply accept the circumstances as proof of what they believe in their heart, no one cares. It is unbelief. Look at this convicting passage.

“The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. Job 36:13 NSRV

Now that makes me take a step back. Does it speak to you like it speaks to me? Have we learned…should we learn…to pour out our complaints? David’s complaints got results. Do ours? Are we as confident in God as David proved to be? “He will hear my voice…He will sustain you…He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Is Our Heavenly Father waiting to hear our complaints, offered in full assurance, before He gives His answer?

Heavenly Father, I approach your throne today in full assurance. I’m convicted by David’s unwavering faith in the Good Shepherd. I confess, in times past, I’ve been too hesitant to cry out. Did I think you too busy or too indifferent? Did I suppose I was unworthy of your attention or too steeped in my own failures to warrant your intervention? Father, forgive me for this lack of knowledge. Forgive me for holding back the cry for help, for whatever the reason may have been.

Even as Solomon heard both complaints from the two harlots before rendering judgment I believe you are waiting for me to pour out my complaint, that you may hear and render Your Answer.

I trust you to judge righteously. I trust you to hear this complaint and speak forth a word that heals the disease and delivers from destruction.

I cast the burden of the situation upon you by pouring out my complaint, fully convinced you will hear. You will speak. You will bring clarity. You will execute righteous judgment. I am fully persuaded you will scatter all evil with your eyes and render your decision in equity and without partiality.

Forgive me for those times when I complained in unbelief. Today, I am fully persuaded you will intervene. Let your kingdom verdict be manifest here on earth.