April 30

Morning

And all the children of Israel murmured. — Num 14:2

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 badly than you deserve? 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—are you smitten as badly as your sins deserve? Consider the corruption which is in your heart and then will you wonder that there needs so much of the rod to fetch it out? Weigh yourself, and discern how much dross is mingled with your gold and do you think the fire too hot to purge away so much dross as you have? Does not that proud rebellious spirit of yours, 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 are able to recognize your Father’s hand. For “whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. 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!”

Evening

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God. — Ps 139:17

Divine omniscience affords no comfort to the ungodly mind but to the child of God it overflows with consolation. God is always thinking upon us; He never turns aside His mind from us, and has us always before His eyes! This is precisely as we would have it—for it would be dreadful to exist for a moment, beyond the observation of our heavenly Father. His thoughts are always tender, loving, wise, prudent, far-reaching, and they bring to us countless benefits. Hence it is a choice delight, for us to remember them.

The Lord always did think upon His people—hence their election and the covenant of grace by which their salvation is secured. He always will think upon them—hence their final perseverance by which they shall be brought safely to their final rest. In all our wanderings, the watchful glance of the Eternal Watcher is evermore fixed upon us! We never roam beyond the Shepherd’s eye! In our sorrows He observes us incessantly, and not a pang escapes Him! In our toils He marks all our weariness, and writes in His book all the struggles of His faithful ones. These thoughts of the Lord encompass us in all our paths, and penetrate the innermost region of our being. Not a nerve or tissue, valve or vessel, of our bodily organization is uncared for. All the ‘littles’ of our little world—are thought upon by the great God.

Dear reader, is this precious to you? Never be led astray by those philosophic fools who preach up an impersonal God. The Lord lives and thinks upon us! This is a truth far too precious for us to be easily robbed of it. The notice of an earthly king is valued so highly, that he who has it counts his fortune made; but what is this—compared to be thought of by the King of kings! If the Lord thinks upon us—all is well, and we may rejoice evermore!