An Exercise In Futility.

"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of
the destroyer." (1 Corinthians 10:10)

Sometimes things happen that we are not happy with. When it comes to God's
work, we must evaluate whether or not our happiness is important. When some
of the Israelites did not get their way while traveling onto the promised
land, they complained. Their complaining caused them to lose their life!

One time a situation occurred at a local congregation that caused a member
to question what was done. It was not something unscriptural, but this
member thought something else should be done. This Christian was told by
one of the men the reason why it was being done a certain way. However,
this did not sit well with the first member. Before you know it, this
person was going around to different members of the congregation and was
complaining about the decision, and complaining about the man who it was
assumed made the decision. Word finally reached the brother who had provided
the explanation of why it was being done. He asked the disgruntled member to
meet him privately. The disgruntled member was given a stern
lecture on the importance of fellowship and what to do when you have a
problem: you don't complain, but work towards the good of the congregation.

I remember that day very well. I was the "disgruntled member" who felt the
need to complain to everyone! Looking back, it was over something as silly as
the number of songs we would sing and the order in which we would sing
them! I felt I knew better. The older brother was kind enough to remind
me that murmuring and complaining never gets anything done, but working
together in fellowship will accomplish a lot.

Those Israelites who complained may have felt they were actually doing
something, but all they were doing was causing disharmony among the people
of God. Eventually, God had enough and took care of them. God still wants
His people today to work in harmony for the good of His Church. May we ever
strive to do just that. [JW]