The current devotion is written by Dianna Hobbs, founder of EEW Magazine, as part of her 28 Days of Gratitude blog series. Get more inspiration on her Daily Cup of Inspiration blog.

“Therefore the Jews started complaining about Him because He said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’” (John 6:41 CSB)

In this passage, the Jews were upset with Jesus over something He said while talking to a crowd that came looking for Him in Capernaum. After Jesus fed 5,000 with two fish and five barley loaves, despite witnessing this spectacular miracle, the group still wasn’t convinced that Jesus was sent from God. They wanted Him to produce a sign.

In verse 31, they told Jesus about how their ancestors ate manna, the bread God rained from Heaven in the Old Testament. That’s when Jesus explained that He was the (spiritual) bread from Heaven, and He was even better than the Old Testament manna.

The faithless Jews were outraged at such a claim. Their familiarity with Jesus made it difficult to accept Him as the long-awaited Messiah. In verse 42, they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” They saw Him as a mere man, and He was claiming to be greater than Moses!

As you see, their complaint was directly linked to their lack of faith. Had they believed, they would not have grumbled and murmured against Jesus.

Do you ever behave like the Jews did? Although you know Jesus is the Messiah, do you struggle to believe other things that He says? Is it hard to accept His promises concerning you as truth?

Is it tough to believe the good things He says about you specifically? About your abilities? About your future? Do you struggle to have confidence in your capabilities despite God saying He has empowered you? Have your complaints ever been rooted in doubt and fear?

BELIEVE IT

My dad used to say (and still says), God said it, I believe it, and that settles it. And I can tell you, He means that. My daddy believes the Lord in all situations.

When you believe God’s word, even when it doesn’t align with what you see, you won’t give into worry, anxiety, doubt, and fear, and start complaining. You will thank Him in advance for what’s coming, because you recognize that God is faithful to keep His promises.

Instead of complaining about the bills, believe that God is your provider, just as He says He is, and thank Him for making provision. When you don’t know how to do something, believe that the Holy Spirit is your teacher and guide, and thank Him for instructing you. When troubles come, believe that the Lord is a present help in trouble, and thank Him for coming to your rescue.

The word of the Lord is true, and when you believe it, it activates praise within you, and it activates God’s power.

GOD HEARS YOU

In John 6:43, Jesus plainly told the obstinate, unbelieving Jews, “Stop grumbling among yourselves.” The word “grumbling” Jesus used means to murmur, mutter, or say anything against someone or something in a low tone. It is also a word used to describe those who confer secretly together and those who discontentedly complain.

When Jesus told them to quit complaining, this wasn’t a conversation they were having with Him. Whether Jesus audibly heard them or not, He knows the intent of a person’s heart, so He knew their thoughts.

The Jews’ complaints, both internal and external, came from a place of doubt and unbelief, and God heard them, just as He hears you. You don’t have to utter words out loud for God to hear you. In Jeremiah 17:10, God tells us, "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind…”

The point is, God is not just after what we say verbally, but He is also concerned about our internal dialogue. What thoughts are you thinking? He hears your thoughts, negative self-talk and grumbling, and He wants you to believe.

STOP IT

Don’t you want to experience all the benefits of your faith? Of course you do! So then, when you catch yourself falling into a cycle of doubting and complaining, whether you verbalize that doubt or not, tell yourself what Jesus told the Jews: stop grumbling.

Just stop it.

Stop worrying, doubting, stressing, and fearing. And start believing, thanking, praising, glorifying the God of your salvation, and declaring Proverbs 30:5, which says, “Every word of God proves true…”

Guard your mind, and guard your heart, because what is on the inside will eventually flow out of your mouth. Understand, this is not a word of condemnation. We all have moments where the waves of doubt come crashing against our faith. And it’s okay if you have to cry out to Jesus like the father of the child with the unclean spirit did in Mark 9:24 when he said, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

God is gracious and merciful, and He will not condemn you. Be honest about your struggles. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

When you approach God, be sure to do so with thanksgiving. You will find that, through His word, He will help you put a stop to the internal grumbling and external complaining. Before you know it, you’ll be worshiping before that throne of grace.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT

In your journal today, write down:

• A promise God has fulfilled in your life.

• One spiritual blessing He has given you. Did He increase your faith? Give you more joy? Peace that surpassed your understanding? Greater understanding of His word?

• One time you doubted yourself, and God gave you an incredible outcome anyway.

• One way He has blessed you today.

• One time you felt thankful after seeing the manifestation of a special gift, talent, or ability God had placed inside you.

Now, let’s pray.

God, thank You for being faithful in all Your ways. I believe You are exactly who You say You are. In times when doubt, fear, and worry give me the urge to complain and speak negative words, help me meditate on Your goodness and all the reasons You are worthy of my praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.