“And all the children of Israel murmured.” — Numbers 14:2

There are murmurers amongst Christians now, as there were in the camp of Israel of old. There are those who, when the rod falls, cry out against the afflictive dispensation. They ask, “Why am I thus afflicted? What have I done to be chastened in this manner?” A word with thee, O murmurer! Why shouldst thou murmur against the dispensations of thy heavenly Father? Can He treat thee more hardly than thou deservest? Consider what a rebel thou wast once, but He has pardoned thee! Surely, if He in His wisdom sees fit now to chasten thee, thou shouldst not complain. After all, art thou smitten as hardly as thy sins deserve? Consider the corruption which is in…

thy breast, and then wilt thou wonder that there needs so muchof the rod to fetch it out? Weigh thyself, and discern how much dross ismingled with thy gold; and dost thou think the fire too hot to purge awayso much dross as thou hast? Does not that proud rebellious spirit of thineprove that thy heart is not thoroughly sanctified? Are not thosemurmuring words contrary to the holy submissive nature of God’schildren? Is not the correction needed? But if thou wilt murmur against thechastening, take heed, for it will go hard with murmurers. God alwayschastises His children twice, if they do not bear the first stroke patiently.But know one thing — ”He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve thechildren of men.” All His corrections are sent in love, to purify thee, and todraw thee nearer to Himself. Surely it must help thee to bear thechastening with resignation if thou art able to recognize thy Father’s hand.For “whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whomHe receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.”“Murmur not as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of thedestroyer.”

To make sure you never miss an episode, please subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.

Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen