Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
7 August, 1996 - Singapore
Good Morning!
YOU CAN "GROAN", BUT YOU CAN'T "GRUMBLE"!
The pilgrimage from here to eternity was never intended to
be easy.
So naturally, we are inclined to grumble about our
circumstances! Perhaps our grumbling is related to the fact
that we are confused about the sequence of events: Rewards
occur after we get to heaven! The
present however, is the time for character training in
preparation for eternity.
The comforting news is that amidst this time of testing and development,
we have been given the enabling presence of the Holy Spirit:
"We ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit...groan
within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the
redemption of our body." (Romans 8:23)
And so...understandably, we groan.
BUT GRUMBLE? THAT IS QUITE ANOTHER MATTER!
When we grumble, we signify a basic discontent with
our lot in life, and a challenge to God's sovereign purposes.
In effect we are saying that God has unfairly violated our
rights by allowing us to experience difficult circumstances.
We feel we deserve better than this!
In their trek across the desert en-route to the Promised Land,
the Jews responded similarly to adversity:
They grumbled:
From their perspective, there was never enough water and
comfort, and the food was of the wrong variety! They felt they
deserved better than this!
Citing their example, Paul admonishes us,
"Do not grumble...(or) test the Lord,
as some of them did...God was not pleased with most of them..."
(I Corinthians 10:10a;9a,5a)
QUESTION: Amidst the trials of your life, are you groaning
or grumbling? How you answer that question reflects
whether or not you understand and accept the fact
that this earthly sojourn is God's time and means of making you
Christ-like in preparation for eternity. (Romans 8:28 - 30)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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