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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
As a family you have talked darkness and complaining until you are
changed into the same image. You seem to work upon one another’s
sympathies and to arouse nervous excitability until you have a dark,
sad, dismal time by yourselves. You have held mourning services,
but these do not attract angels around you. If you do not change your
course, God will come a little closer and deal with you in judgment.
Is it not time that you hold thanksgiving services in your home and
recount with rejoicing the blessings that have been bestowed upon
you?
The power of the truth should be sufficient to sustain and console
in every adversity. It is in enabling its possessor to triumph over
affliction that the religion of Christ reveals its true value. It brings the
appetites, the passions, and the emotions under the control of reason
and conscience, and disciplines the thoughts to flow in a healthful
channel. And then the tongue will not be left to dishonor God by
expressions of sinful repining.
Our Creator justly claims the right to do as He chooses with the
creatures of His hand. He has a right to govern as He will, and not as
man chooses. But He is not a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor.
He is the very fountain of love, the giver of blessings innumerable.
It should cause you the deepest grief that you have disregarded such
love, and have not let gratitude and praise well up in your hearts for
the marvelous goodness of God. We do not deserve all His benefits;
but they are continued to us, notwithstanding our unworthiness and
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cruel ingratitude. Then cease to complain as though you were bond
servants under a hard taskmaster. Jesus is good. Praise Him. Praise
Him who is the health of your countenance, and your God.
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