Complaint Department

I’m in the process of working with our Department of Labor to resolve two separate issues affecting my life. I tried working with the out-sourced companies, but their responses have not been informative and lack a bit in customer service.

A young couple made travel arrangements to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, including airline tickets, a small cruise package and hotel arrangements. Planning ahead, they did this months in advance, watching their limited budget. They did not think of planning for a jury duty that did not take their travel plans into consideration. Neither the airline nor cruise line responded to the government’s change in their plans, no refunds, lacking a bit in customer service.

As with the above examples, does it sometimes appear that God is lacking in “customer service” too? Do we complain to God, or about God? Do we hear His answers?

When Christ cried out … about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46 KJV) He was not complaining about God’s absence, He was calling out to God for an answer. The resurrection was God’s response.

Job was able to complain to God: Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 7:11 KJV)

Though he was encouraged to curse God (complain about God) and die, Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (Job 2:9 KJV), he was able to respond:

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (Job 2:10 KJV)

Sometimes it takes an effort on God’s part to get His message across to us. In Acts chapter 10, Peter was prepared to talk to God. He was not prepared for what God told him. While Cornelius heard and responded by traveling, …Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, (Acts 10:17 KJV)

Three times the vision was given to Peter, and it still took Cornelius’ explanation before Peter understood:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35 KJV)

As Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:16 KJV)