The children of Israel began to murmur, not only against Moses, but against the Lord. But then murmuring is by no means uncommon today, even in this land of plenty! We live in a complaining world, and we hear it everywhere. We can expect to hear more of it, too, as the Lord’s coming draws nearer, since “unthankfulness” is one of the characteristics of the last days (2 Timothy 3:22For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2 Timothy 3:2)). Let the children of God be on guard to not fall into this horrible sin. Even children can learn to be thankful for their many blessings. There is nothing more heartbreaking than to meet a child of God who lives in “Grumble Corner.” We might expect it from those who do not trust in the Lord or know anything of His love and care, but it is sad to meet a murmuring Christian.
Grumble Corner
Everything is wrong for the one who lives in “Grumble Corner.” The weather is always either too hot or too cold. The prices of food are so high that he cannot buy the food he likes. Other people have more money and better clothes than he has. They have better homes and cars, too! Then he is always complaining about his many aches and pains. He finds the neighbors hard to get along with, and his teacher or employer is not treating him fairly. He thinks that even his brothers and sisters in the Lord are thoughtless and ignore him. He seems to have such a hard lot in life, and the strange part is that no one is right but himself — at least this is what he vainly thinks! Perhaps some of us have lived in “Grumble Corner” ourselves, but it is a terrible place to live, and we hope that none of you are living there now. Those who live there bring great dishonor upon the Lord’s name.
Thanksgiving Street
But there also is a bright, happy district called “Thanksgiving Street.” Christians who live there have the same troubles as those who live in “Grumble Corner,” but they count their blessings instead of their troubles. Sometimes the weather is bad, but they say, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psa. 118:2424This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)). When the prices of food are high, they remember that the Bible says, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)). When they see others having better things than they, they seek grace to “be content with such things as [they] have” (Heb. 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)). When sick and infirm, they have a “throne of grace” (Heb. 4:1616Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)) to which they can come to “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:1616Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)). They try to act toward their neighbor in divine love, for “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor” (Rom. 13:1010Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)). They have also learned that they can do their work, even for a difficult employer or teacher, “as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:2323And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23)). They love their brothers and sisters in Christ, for they have been “taught of God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:99But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)) — not to look for love from!
Even the world looks at these Christians and says, “These people have something that we don’t have.” They know it is real. It is the fruit of the Spirit displayed in our daily lives. We should never live in “Grumble Corner,” and if we find ourselves there, let us confess it to the Lord and move to “Thanksgiving Street” at once. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psa. 103:22Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (Psalm 103:2)).
Further Meditation
1. What is the practical difference between loving someone and looking for love from them?
2. What other scriptures can you give that teach the principles of thanksgiving?
3. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by T. Scott and others contains tens of thousands of Bible references on many subjects. It would be an excellent resource for looking more deeply into the topics of rejoicing and thanksgiving.