TK Torah Keepers

I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. (Psalm 77:3 KJV)

This verse contains an incredibly powerful revelation.  “I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.”  There are times in our lives when life does not go as we wished, hoped, planned, expected or anticipated.  There are times when, in spite of our best intentions and best efforts, circumstance beyond our control, thwarts our every ambition and, desire and dream.  There are times when even the people we trust, depend upon, and love turn against us and become our adversary, in spite of our every effort to reconcile or appease them.  It is times like these when our flesh screams out for vindication, consideration, remuneration, justice and fairness.  It is times like these that the weight and harshness of the cross we are asked to daily embrace becomes a reality. 

If we do not take these self-centered, self-serving, self-preserving thoughts and emotions to the cross quickly they will fester within us like a boil filled with poison.  If we entertain such thoughts and emotions these toxic and self-serving emotions will grow and grow within us until our resolve to contain them is overpowered. Eventually our complaint will violently come gushing forth all over everyone and anyone that is willing, or even unwilling, to hear us.  It is as Solomon has stated it.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. (Proverbs 17:14 KJV)

Solomon’s imagery is very graphic.  Once we allow the pent-up toxins of complaint to leave our lips, we will be unlikely to stop it.  Before you realize it your complaint is gushing forth spreading the poison of your discomfort all over the place.  One complaint leads to another, and another and another and another and another….and on and on it goes, until you are finally so dissatisfied and miserable that you lose all perspective and all hope.  Once the toxins of frustration, disappointment, and self-pity have been allowed to germinate soon they will turn into the root of offense and bitterness.  Like a weed-vine this root of bitterness will take hold in the heart and faith will be destroyed. This spewing forth of complain will also plant the seeds of discontent, offense, and bitterness in others choking out their faith as well.  This vine of resentment, bitterness and complain will choke out all fruit of the Spirit, wherever it is found. What began as a one person pity-party will soon turn into a masquerade-ball of anger, offense, disbelief, skepticism, bitterness and complaint. 

The psalmist is speaking the truth…when we allow ourselves to complain we will soon be overwhelmed.  But how do we prevent this vine of resentment, bitterness, offense and complaint from taking root in our hearts and souls?  First, we must head the example and words of our Master, Yeshua. The testimony of scripture is clear.  Yeshua did all things pleasing in the sight of the Father.

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29 KJV)

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5 KJV)

 But for this faithfulness, our Master was arrested, imprisoned, falsely accused, beaten, afflicted, humiliated, scourged, and ultimately crucified.  If anyone had a right to complain, “foul, injustice, or unfair” it was our Master Yeshua.  But instead we read that he did not complain but silently suffered this grave injustice.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (Acts 8:32 KJV)

Not only did Yeshua restrain his tongue from complaining, but he embodied his own teaching and prayed for those who persecuted him.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44 KJV)

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. ³⁴ Then said Yeshua, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:33-34 KJV)

The psalmist also gives us a practical example of how to deal with these seeds of complaint that rise up within us at times like these. 

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. (Psalm 77:5 KJV)

I will remember the works of YHWH: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. (Psalm 77:11 KJV)

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. (Psalm 77:12 KJV)

Here the psalmist reminds us to quickly take our eyes, mind, and thoughts off of ourselves and to contemplate the mighty works of YHWH. Ponder upon the infinite wisdom of the Eternal One.  Ponder the many surprising miracles that YHWH has performed for the sake of his people.  Contemplate how the Sovereign One has often used great adversity and injustice to accomplish his perfect will.  Ponder what was accomplished by the great injustice born by our Master! By shifting our focus from ourselves to the Sovereignty of the Eternal One, our heart and mind are filled, not with self-pity that destroys faith, but with the marvel, awe and fear of God that builds faith.  It is much easier to weed the garden while the weeds are young and not established.  It is much more difficult to free a neglected garden of weeds once they are established.  We must learn to tend to the garden of our hearts quickly.  We must weed out the seeds of bitterness and complaint before they take root.  This is best done by daily embracing the cross and refocuses our eyes, minds, and hearts upon the Master instead of our selves. Instead of talking about oneself, talk only about the wonders of our God. Instead of focusing upon what we suffer, let us focus upon what our Master has suffered.  Instead of focusing upon the injustice and unfairness that discomforts us let us focus upon the numerous injustices and offenses that we have cause the Father.  Yes, offenses will come.  But we do not have to let such things overwhelm us.  Instead, we must learn to take it to the cross trusting the Sovereign of the universe to work his wonders and to use our suffering for the sake of his perfect will and plan.  Surely God’s will and work is more important to the believer than a personal sense of fairness or justice.