Proverbs 19:3
“The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart frets against the Lord.”
The wickedness of the heart is deep and unsearchable. Those who do not watch its motions, have no idea of its depravity; but they who diligently examine it may discover many evils, and by the light of God’s Word attain considerable knowledge. The disposition mentioned in the text deserves special attention.
I. We will illustrate the disposition here spoken of.
1. The careless and ungodly world are ever ready to cast blame on God, on account of their sins.
They give the rein to every evil thought and desire;
they expose themselves to every kind of temptation;
they lay innumerable stumbling-blocks in their own way;
and thus become enslaved by vicious lusts and appetites!
Against these iniquities God denounces his judgment. But the slaves of sin continue hardened in their evil ways; they condemn even God himself us the author of their sins. This was the conduct of Adam immediately after the fall, Genesis 3:12. He decidedly condemns God for giving the woman to him—and this is too often imitated by his guilty descendants.
2. The careless and ungodly world are ever ready to cast blame on God, on account of their sorrows.
Sorrow is entailed on all as the punishment of the first transgression; but most of the afflictions which men suffer are brought on them by their own folly.
For example, some involve themselves in sorrow through sloth or intemperance.
Others ruin themselves by imprudence and extravagance.
Others bring themselves into difficulties by their sinful actions and habits which they form.
But under all their calamities, they “murmur against the Lord.” They are full of invectives against those that have been the more immediate occasions of their trouble! Numbers 16:11; Numbers 16:41.
They consider their lot as hard and severe; and thus do they reflect on God’s Providence rather than on themselves. Cain, the first-born of Adam, indulged this malignant spirit Genesis 4:13-14; nor are there any sons of sorrow who do not more or less follow his example.
Nor are believers themselves wholly free from this murmuring disposition.
They watch and pray against their besetting sin—yet are sometimes brought under the power of it. On these occasions they are tempted to murmur against the Lord; they are ready to expostulate with him like those of old, Isaiah 58:3; they forget how justly they might have been eternally forsaken; and that the remaining power of their sins is the consequence both of former habits, and of present neglects. Under afflictions also they feel too much proneness to murmur. What sinful impatience did the holy Elijah manifest! 1 Kings 19:4. Even Job himself manifested a murmuring character! Job 7:15-16.
This murmuring disposition however, is most hateful in the sight of God!
II. We will point out the evil of murmuring against God.
Murmuring against God manifests the most deplorable ignorance.
God is not, nor can be, the author of sin. He maintains in all things the character given of him, Deuteronomy 32:4; hence James shows the folly of casting blame on God, James 1:13-14; nor can God punish any of us more than our iniquities deserve; hence the expostulation of the prophet is unanswerable, Lamentations 3:39. Besides, to murmur against God is not the way to concern him in our behalf, nor will it tend to the peace and composure of our own spirits. It is as unprofitable to us as it is unjust towards him. True wisdom would teach us to humble ourselves in his presence, and to renew our supplications with greater earnestness. This conduct is as sure to succeed, as the other is to fail of success, Proverbs 28:13.
Murmuring against God manifests the most obstinate impenitence.
Both our sins and our sorrows ought to produce humility. When they increase our rebellion, our state is almost desperate, Isaiah 1:5. How awfully does such a temperament characterize God’s enemies, Revelation 16:9, and make us resemble those that are consigned over to perdition, Matthew 8:12. Surely nothing more heinous can be laid to our charge, nor anything more speedily fit us for destruction.
Murmuring against God evinces the most consummate arrogance.
To fret and murmur is, in fact, to reprove God. God himself considers it as a direct attack upon him, Malachi 3:13-14; and can anything be more presumptuous in such worms as we? Paul reprobates this impiety with holy indignation in Romans 9:20, and every one who allows himself in it, must answer it at his peril! Job 40:2.
We conclude with suitable advice.
1. Let us search into the causes of our sorrows.
We may be surprised into sin by a sudden temptation, but may trace our fall to preceding unwatchfulness. Nor can we expect God to keep us, if we neglect to keep ourselves. We are rarely earnest enough in using the means of safety. We are too backward to meditation, prayer, and fasting.
Our afflictions also may have come without any misconduct on our part; but who has not merited them by his sins? Men should only be considered as instruments in God’s hands, Psalm 17:13-14; and the consideration of God’s will should silence every murmur 2 Samuel 16:10.
2. Let us always be careful to justify God.
We may not always be able to understand his dispensations, but we should not on that account doubt the equity of them; whatever we suffer, we should not “charge God foolishly.” Under the darkest dispensations, we should say as the Psalmist, Psalm 22:2-3. If we wait we shall see the wisdom of many things which now seem utterly inexplicable; we may rest assured that David’s assertion shall be verified, Psalm 51:4.
3. Let us see what improvement may be made of our troubles.
There is no rod which has not a voice to us. Our very sins may be permitted, in order to humble us, and to make us more thankfully cleave to the Savior! Our trials, of whatever kind, are to purge away our dross, and to fit us for our eternal rest. To view them in this light will greatly compose our minds. Instead of murmuring against the Lord, we shall be thankful to him; and instead of increasing our misery, we shall make it a source of joy.
Charles Simeon