And All the Children of Israel Murmured
God's corrections are sent in love to purify and sanctify His children, and those who murmur against them may face further chastening.
C.H. Spurgeon addresses the issue of murmuring among Christians, drawing parallels to the Israelites in the wilderness. He emphasizes that believers often question God's afflictions, forgetting their past rebellion and the grace they have received. Spurgeon encourages self-reflection on one's sins and the necessity of God's discipline, reminding that all corrections are rooted in love and aimed at spiritual growth. He warns that murmuring against God's chastening can lead to further suffering, urging believers to accept their trials with a submissive heart. Ultimately, he reassures that God's discipline is a sign of His love and a means to draw us closer to Him.
Text
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 much of the rod to fetch it out? Weigh thyself, and discern how much dross is mingled with thy gold; and dost thou think the fire too hot to purge away so much dross as thou hast? Does not that proud rebellious spirit of thine prove that thy 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 thou wilt 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 doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." All His corrections are sent in love, to purify thee, and to draw thee nearer to Himself. Surely it must help thee to bear the chastening with resignation if thou art able to recognize thy 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." "Murmur not as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer."
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Murmuring
- The Question of Affliction
- The Call to Submission
- Recognizing God's hand
- The benefits of submission
Key Quotes
“He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize God's hand in your afflictions and understand that His corrections are sent in love.
- Submit to God's chastening with resignation, knowing that it is for your purification and sanctification.
- Remember that God does not afflict willingly, but rather to draw you closer to Himself.