April 30 — Morning

There are murmurers among 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 you, O murmurer! Why should you murmur against the dispensations of your heavenly Father? Can He treat you more hardly than you deservest? Consider what a rebel you were once, but He has pardoned you! Surely, if He in His wisdom sees fit now to chasten you, you should not complain. After all, art you smitten as hardly as your sins deserve? Consider the corruption which is in your breast, and then will you wonder that there needs so much of the rod to fetch it out? Weigh thyself, and discern how much dross is mingled with your gold; and dost you think the fire too hot to purge away so much dross as you have? Does not that proud rebellious spirit of your prove that your heart is not thoroughly sanctified? Are not those murmuring 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 murmurers. God always chastises His children twice, if they do not bear the first stroke patiently. But know one thing-"He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." All His corrections are sent in love, to purify you, and to draw you nearer to Himself. Surely it must help you to bear the chastening with resignation if you art able to recognize your Father's hand. For "whom the Lord lovs He chastens, and scourgs every son whom He receivs. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons." "Murmur not as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer."