James Alexander wrote in 1852, “The true recipe for miserable existence is this: Quarrel with Providence“. That is, to complain about what God causes, or refusing to accept what God allows. And I suspect that at times we are all guilty of such folly. Seldom do we honestly say “not my will“–that’s the opposite of how most folks feel. And, even when we say, “Thy will be done” we generally have some limitations in mind.
Although we know that God acts out of love, with wisdom, and in our best interest we tend to complain about certain things. Even knowing that God can use it for His glory and our good doesn’t always persuade us to accept some things. We seem to always have an excuse to justify our stubborn refusal to submit to the situation. It seems more reasonable to us that we be allowed to escape our troubles and trials rather than endure them.
We are familiar with the stories of Job, Joseph, and others who submitted to their suffering and refused to complain about their circumstances, but we don’t care about following their examples. Instead, we argue against what God allows into our lives. Knowing we can’t change it or control it we complain anyway– we continue fighting a losing battle. The only solution to this situation is submission, yielding ourselves to providence–even though God gives no explanation as to why things are as they are. But,when you truly trust God submitting to Him is no problem. You know that in yielding yourself to God you are in good hands—you couldn’t be in a safer place.
Don’t be one of those who say. “Thy will be done” and then complain because it is. Don’t argue when what God allows doesn’t meet with your approval. We say He does all things well, then act as though we have a better idea. We claim we deserve nothing, but act as though we deserve better. That is so unlike Christ that we ought to be embarrassed. The only path to peace is to trust God, as we’re told in Isa. 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” —HDS
