There was a criminal in terrible pain, rejected, hated by others, and sentenced to death. But he did not complain; he was satisfied with his suffering. “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss.” Luke 23:39–41

When sickness, misfortune, suffering, and death come upon us, how many will say, “I deserve this,” without one word of complaining. When Job lost all that he had, he said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

Paul said, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11–12. This was not natural to Paul, but he said that he had learned it; he had learned a lesson that very few know. You cannot make this kind of person unhappy or sad.

When the people  of Israel traveled in the wilderness for forty years, the hot desert sand burned their feet, they had no permanent home. At times they lacked water, and often were n danger from their enemies. They were tempted to sin under these circumstances, and what was their sin?

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against Me.” Numbers 14:26–29

Paul refers to this murmuring and complaining of Israel as a warning to us, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” 1 Corinthians 10:10

Are there many people like Job and like Paul, who are always satisfied and happy, and who never complain about anything? No; and the reason for it is that they have not opened their heart’s doors to Jesus; they do not have the Holy Spirit. What is religion without Christ, and without the Holy Spirit? It is nothing; only an empty form.

When World War I started, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was divided. When the governments demanded that all the young men must join the army, and fight against their enemies, then the majority were afraid of the punishment, which was a prison sentence, and in some countries, the death penalty.

But two percent of the members remained faithful to God and refused military service, and therefore they were disfellowshipped from the church; these faithful ones were the beginning of the Adventist Reform Church. In the war, in both opposing armies there were professing Christians, pointing their guns at each other. This was not God’s will. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, He prayed for His murderers. He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

The work of our reformation is to bring Christ into the hearts of men and women, to bring joy and happiness into the lives of people. Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

When the Holy Spirit enters our heart, we will have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. The work of the Holy Spirit is to lead and guide us. With the Holy Spirit, we are never confused, we know what we are doing, we know where we are going, and we are filled with happiness and joy, and singing praises to God.

When Jesus enters your heart, you will not say anymore, “I want this, I want that, I am dissatisfied.” No, now you say, “I have received more than I deserve, my cup runneth over.”

Sometimes fiery trials come upon us, and we need to thank God for them, for we know that they are for our benefit. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

When we realize what it is that we really deserve, which is death, then we are thankful that we live, and not only this life now, but God is offering eternal life to us, first in heaven, and then on this earth, which will be restored to its original beauty.

When we realize what we deserve, then we are thankful to God who has promised to give us more than we deserve. He leads us in the green pastures, and beside still waters. What God gives to sinners is their wages according to their actions, but what the saved ones receive is more than they deserve; it is a gift given to them. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

A true Christian who is humble cannot be offended. He realizes, the same as Paul did, that nothing good dwells in him. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18. He realized that he deserved insults and abuse, and even death.

“God is Himself the source of all mercy. His name is ‘merciful and gracious.’ Exodus 34:6. He does not treat us according to our desert. He does not ask if we ae worthy of His love, but He pours upon us the riches of His love, to make us worthy. He is not vindictive. He seeks not to punish, but to redeem. Even the severity which He manifests through His providences is manifested for the salvation of the wayward. He yearns with intense desire to relieve the woes of men and to apply His balsam to their wounds.” –Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 22

“Christ gave Himself, an atoning sacrifice, for the saving of a lost world. He was treated as we deserve, in order that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 208

God loves us, and He wants to save us. Often He has to let the fiery trials come upon us. Then we must say, “I deserve this.” God will never place needless suffering upon us. The way to salvation is narrow. Millions of martyrs gave up their lives unto death, realizing that it was in the plan of God for their salvation. If it comes upon us to suffer prison or the death sentence, let us then say like the criminal on the cross, “I deserve this,” and remember that nothing will happen to us that is not for our benefit, for our salvation, and from the love of God.

God said to David, “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But My mercy shall not depart away from him.” 2 Samuel 7:14–15. This is how God will deal with us also today. Let us never complain nor murmur at His leading, but only thank Him. Amen.

Timo Martin