Don't
grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the
Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear
brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know
about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him
at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James 5:9-11
Meditate.
Consider God’s mercy in scripture.
 |
| Niagara Falls Is it a grumbling noise that you hear? |
Grumble-Grumble. Are you listening to others or are you part of some grumbling that is happening? James advises us not to grumble about other Christians—or we will be judged. As I recall, Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that “judge not, least you’ll be judged” (Matthew 7:1-1). Other passages of scripture tell us that Jesus, not God the Father or the Holy Spirit, is the judge.
In addition, the Father judges no
one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, ... I can do
nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just,
because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. John 5:22, 30 NLT
Grumbling
is like whining—not an acceptable form of communication in most households. It’s
a hard part of parenting—but I’ve found that telling the child that you can
neither hear or understand a whiny voice…and then ignoring the whining voice is
effective. Does God do that with us? Don’t grumble about each other. Job’s
friends seemed to be grumbling about him. He was a good man—who believed in God.
He didn’t deserve to be accused that his problems were the result of his sins.
God even saw him as a righteous man. Can the same be said about us? Don’t grumble.
James reminds us that the Lord was
kind to Job at the end of his story—and He blessed him with twice as much,
showing His mercy. Job endured physical and mental suffering, but the key was
he endured. He didn’t give up—even when his wife said to curse God and die.
Nope. He kept going. Can we say that we’d do the same? Don’t give up. On this
side of the cross, we know that Jesus is on our side. We can do all things
through Christ who gives us strength—even endure. See Philippians 4:13. Peter
encourages us with an optimistic message.
For God is pleased with you when
you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 1 Peter 2:19
This
should give us hope as we may face uncertainty and possible persecution in the
future. It seems like it is beginning here and now—not just in remote areas of
the world. Even if things get bad for Christians—don’t grumble against God’s
elect. Give God the praise and glory that is due Him. Honor and respect the Almighty
God, the Creator, and Sustainer of our life—of all life. If you don’t have a
relationship with God, get to know Him.
Prayer
– Lord God—thank you for Your grace and mercy to people who have lived many
centuries before us…and to us. Help us not to grumble—but to honor You with our
praise. You are worthy.
Verse
of Salvation ~ "Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will
be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. My mercy and
justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring
justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for
my powerful arm. Isaiah
51:4-5
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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