Are You A Grumbler?

"And all the children of Israel murmured…"    Numbers 14:2

There are murmurers among Christians now, as there were in the camp of Israel of old. There are those who, when the rod of disipline falls, cry out against the afflictive dispensation. They ask, “Why is this happening to me? What have I done to be chastened in this manner?” (see Proverbs 23:13) Think about it complainer! Why should you murmur against the dispensations of your heavenly Father? Can he treat you more hardly than you deserve? Consider what a rebel you once were, but he has pardoned you! Surely, if in His wisdom, He sees fit now to dicipline you, you should not complain. After all, are you smitten as hardly as your sins deserve? Consider well the corruption which is in your heart, and then will you wonder that you need so much of the rod to beat it out? Weigh yourself, and discern how much impurity is mingled with your gold; and do you think the fire too hot to purge away as much dross as you have? Does not that your proud rebellious spirit prove that your heart is not thoroughly sanctified? Are not your complaining words contrary to the holy, submissive nature of God’s children? Is not the correction needed? But if you will murmur against the chastening, take heed, for it will go hard with complainers. God always chastises his children twice, if they do not bear the first stroke patiently. But you should know one thing—“He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” (Lamentations 3:33) All his corrections are sent in love, to purify you, and to draw your nearer to Himself. Surely it must help you to bear the chastening with resignation if you are able to recognize your Father's hand. For “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.” (Hebrews 12:6-7) “Murmur not as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer.” (1 Corinthians 10:10)

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Morning Devotions, C.H. Spurgeon