The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "WHO AM I TO COMPLAIN?" for Monday, 20 June 2016 with Scripture Psalm 8:1 (0)-9 (8)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "WHO AM I TO COMPLAIN?" for Monday, 20 June 2016 with Scripture Psalm 8:1 (0) For the leader. On the gittit. A psalm of David:

2 (1) Adonai! Our Lord! How glorious
is your name throughout the earth!
The fame of your majesty
spreads even above the heavens!
3 (2) From the mouths of babies and infants at the breast
you established strength because of your foes,
in order that you might silence
the enemy and the avenger.
4 (3) When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and stars that you set in place —
5 (4) what are mere mortals, that you concern yourself with them;
humans, that you watch over them with such care?
6 (5) You made him but little lower than the angels,
you crowned him with glory and honor,
7 (6) you had him rule what your hands made,
you put everything under his feet —
8 (7) sheep and oxen, all of them,
also the animals in the wilds,
9 (8) the birds in the air, the fish in the sea,
whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
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Will we receive good from God but not also receive bad?[Job 2:10 (CEB)]
One morning I listened to the radio as a pastor shared her life story. She has many physical limitations but has achieved much and remains joyful and grateful to the Lord. The fact that she dedicated her life to a ministry of service given all the suffering she has endured impressed me.
It seems that many of us find it difficult to fulfill the potential for which we were created or to establish a devotional life even when we are healthy and whole. I felt embarrassed that I had been griping about everyday irritations. I complain when it rains or does not rain enough, when it is cold or not cold enough. Sometimes it seems like I can never be satisfied. So I was faced with the question: Who am I to complain?
For many of us, complaining is so common in our lives that we hardly notice when we do it. It is more important to value what we have. Our hope lies in the gifts, talents, and strengths we possess that can be used in God’s service. When we begin using our gifts, we will find that we complain less and praise more.
The Author: Narda Luz Vargas (Dominican Republic)
Thought for the Day: I can serve the Lord with gladness.
Prayer: Loving God, help us to cease our complaining and to acknowledge all the blessings you have given us. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES

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