As often is the case, something wasn’t going exactly as I had planned and I was starting to get a bit perturbed. However, just as I was reaching the “boiling point”, all of a sudden I thought of something I had read earlier in the morning. The article spoke of the more than 4 million displaced people in Syria and the 2 million refugees fleeing the conflict— more than half of them children! Considering their plight I’m sure that even death would seem like a welcome relief to many.

It would do us all good to put ourselves in the place of these poor people. Imagine being driven from your homeland with nothing more than the clothes on your back and what little you can carry. As I look around my house and the office from which I write this article, I see a lot of things that I value highly. With many of those things the emotional attachment is of far greater value than some of the more expensive things God has given us. I would hate to lose them. Why am I so blessed? I could be among those refugees were it not for the grace of God. How can I not be content?

Just yesterday I changed into another pair of shoes because they were more comfortable than the others. Why do I have 2  pair of shoes when others have none? I have a doctor’s appointment later this morning and as usual I dread to go– even complain about it. I even walked out on a recent appointment because I was too impatient to wait any longer. Why do I gripe about this when others have no access to medical treatment at all. Just now, in the middle of this article, I got up to kiss my wife good-bye as she goes to the store– yep, we even have food to eat, while some have none. Going through the gate I dropped the lock and when I bent over to pick it up I brushed against a plant I had watered earlier this morning and got my pants and one shirt sleeve a little wet. You already know what happened next–I complained! I made a big deal out of getting a little water on my clothes. Then I remembered what I was writing! How can I complain about that when millions are staggering  through a burning desert without a drop of water in sight?

I don’t know how else to say it—I am sick of myself! I am fed up with making petty complaints and having a bad attitude, even if for a mere minute, about things not going my way. I’m not only sick of myself, I am ashamed of my country. We Americans are a bunch of spoiled brats. We have more than anyone on earth and we complain more than anyone else. Why do we do that? It not only violates that the Bible teaches, it makes us miserable, torments others, and ruins our testimony. Having been so blessed we ought to do better than that. There is no excuse for us being so ungrateful that we constantly complain about things not going our way. And, as you well know, most  of our complaining has to do with luxuries rather than needs. Just about every American has what they need, yet almost no American has all they want. And it’s that desire for more, bigger, and better that keeps us in a foul mood, and makes us so rude.

Every honest person would admit that this is the way it is, but sadly very few see any need to make personal changes. We would like to avoid the consequences of this problem,but we’re unwilling to address the cause. As long as we love gold more than God, and pleasure more than people, things won’t get any better. But no one wants to deal with the problem. I guess you could say, we are satisfied being unsatisfied. We are pleased with things as they are—pursuing the “American dream”, but God isn’t. He expects more from us. He expects conformity to His commands.

We would all vote for a kinder, more gentle nation where people love one another and everyone lends a helping hand, but no one wants it to start with them. That’s why nothing changes for the better. And nothing will change until we get sick of our shortcomings. There is hope only when we are honest about our condition and hungry for a change. Until then all we do is complain. Think about it!

I’ve often wondered, “Where did the drop-outs go?”. A pastor can’t help but wonder. Did I do something to run them off? Did they leave because of a doctrinal difference? Was it a personality clash with me or others? Did someone mistreat them? Were they simply overcome by discouragement? Were they conquered by some sin?

And the questions just keep coming. Where are they now? What are they doing? Do they plan to come back? These are all interesting questions, but sadly in most cases we never get an answer. When someone is so rude as to leave without a word of explanation it’s rare that you ever hear from them again. I always thought it strange that people would leave a church because of some perceived fault with it, and yet see nothing wrong with dropping out without ever speaking to the pastor. That tells me that they have a character problem. Most people wouldn’t quit their job without a formal resignation, yet they treat the Lord’s church like trash. So in all likelihood, whatever the reason for leaving it is more about their faults than the church’s fault.

So when you see someone drop-out in such a manner it is a sign that they are in need of our prayers. The church would gladly receive them back with open arms and no questions asked, but without prayer it is doubtful that they will ever get the opportunity. It is likely that these people will spend the rest of their lives running from their problems rather than resolving them. That’s not only an awful way to live, it is a terrible testimony for anyone claiming to be a child of God. If you are one of those drop-outs I hope you will reconsider your actions and seek a resolution to your problem, and reconciliation with the church. If you have been embarrassed by your conduct please don’t let your pride keep you from doing what’s right.

Chances are your “problem” was with a particular member or a single issue that upset you, that could easily be resolved if you would just make an effort. That’s something you are obligated to do. If the issue is of such major importance that it warrants leaving the church, at least do it in a dignified way. Make an appointment with the pastor and tell him your story. If you fail to handle your problem in a Christian manner you are going to go from one problem to another–perhaps a lot worse. It pays to do the things the right way. Think about it.

I’m sure it seems strange to some folks when they hear talk about rejoicing in God’s wrath— after all its awful. For those upon whom it comes it is painful beyond description. Yet I contend that even in this we have reason to rejoice— but not everyone would agree. It’s evident that some people, “Just don’t get it”. While preaching about the wrath of God last week, I closed the message with this fourth point–“Our Delight In It Is Defensible”. Then I mentioned three reasons why we ought to rejoice over God’s wrath: (1) The Deliverance we experience, (2) The Display of God’s perfection it expresses, and (3) The Destruction of God’s enemies. Unlike the Psalmist ( 21:8-13) it is evident that that some folks don’t get the picture. It’s as if they resent the thought of God’s judgement of evil-doers. So, maybe we need to think more deeply about this. I’m convinced that if we ever see the picture clearly we will see a reason to rejoice even in the dreadful thought of God’s wrath.

Should we not rejoice over the fact that God’s plan shall be carried out, His promises shall be fulfilled, and peace will be established? In that great day of His wrath, He shall right all wrongs, remove all wickedness, and restore all of creation to its former glory before sin brought Gods curse down upon us? Have we forgotten that that God is holy and just, which makes His wrath essential? Romans 11:22 tells us to, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God”. Our theology is to be balanced, so as to give consideration to God’s wrath as well as His love. Believe it or not, the better we understand the wrath of God the more we will appreciate the grace of God.

In these troublesome times in which we live we would do well to remember that God is sovereign– He does as He pleases and it is always perfect. Realizing that God causes or allows everything that happens enables us to keep things in their proper perspective. Contrary to the way things seem, God is in control. Nothing escapes His notice and nothing happens without His permission. It is thrilling to know that He who lacks no power and makes no mistake is running the universe. As up-side-down as it is, one day God will turn this world right-side-up. Between now and then there is no telling what horrible things will happen. But, although we can’t stop it , we know how it all shall end. And that’s the day we’re waiting for.

This present evil world is bad and getting worse. We can’t control it and we can’t change it, but we can “stay calm and carry on”, knowing God’s grace will keep us until the day that He delivers us entirely. Our hope is not in the promises of the politicians, the tools of technology, the efforts of ecology, the principles of psychology, or the might of our military. Our hope is in the righteous wrath of God who will stamp out all wickedness and establish an everlasting kingdom wherein all things are perfect. And because He is “just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26) we are a part of that glorious kingdom! How can you not rejoice in that? Should we not sing with the Psalmist, “Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power”(Psalm 21:13)? Think about it!