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You Can Groan, But You Can’t Grumble
Wed, 21 Apr, 2010The 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… “ (1 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 Christlike in preparation for eternity. (Romans 8:28-30)
Courtesy of www.factsofthematter.org
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March 27th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Primo day out here in the Valley Mike
Inspirational in a different sort of way…
March 27th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Now that got me thinking…I wonder where in life I’m being a settler. Must pray!
March 27th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Recently went tramping round Lake Waikaremoana - in the middle of the Uruwera National Park - so untouched, wild & remote - and it got me thinking about how our nation would have looked to the early pioneers who landed on our shores! The excitement, anticipation and hard work ahead would have been tangible and overwhelming in a good way LOL! What a way to approach the vision God has for our lives - and to see what lies ahead as an adventure to be had and new ground to be explored!!! WHOOP!! Ready for a new challenge!!! (uh oh!!)
April 4th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Something I’ve been thinking about a lot and I totally agree. Following God isn’t always easy but full of challenges. He doesn’t promise safety but he does promise his presence. Joshua ch. 1 is great for this!
April 13th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Good thoughts to consider whatever stage of the Christian life we’re in. there are always new cahallenges to face, so it’s good to take stock of where we are really at.
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:34 am
So I have been grumbling of late, and know this has not been pleasing the Lord, and have only been able to stop this with his help, and will be trying very hard to do little groaning. I see myself as in the time of Moses. He gives and I want more, he takes away and I grumble, he restores and I am happy for a while, then I take for granted and then the groaning starts, which then leads to the grumbling again. People, we must knock it on the head as soon as the thought enters, and ask him to fill us to overflowing with his Holy Spirit so there is no want for grumbling but just thanks in all situations and to see joy in all we do every day……groan…..so hard.