A Moment With Pastor Fred

11/16/18

Matthew Henry, the well-known pastor and Bible commentator, was on his deathbed in 1714, at the age of 52. He had suffered the loss of his first wife and three children. He was relatively young. He could have complained about his loss of loved ones and his own early death. But he said to a friend, “A life spent in the service of God and in communion with him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that one could live in the present world.”

What a testimony. We live in a world of complainers. We grumble about the weather – “Snow, already?” And a few months ago it was “It’s too hot!” We’re critical of others – impatient and often unkind. We complain about our health. I have a problem with traffic – “those drivers!” The list goes on and on. No wonder the Apostle Paul said in Phil 2:14, “Do all things without grumbling.” O dear friends, we who know Christ have the greatest of all blessings.  

Thanksgiving isn’t just about Thursday. Let’s set an example beginning today that we will not complain. William Sangster was one of England’s greatest preachers. In 1958, doctors broke the news that he suffered from an incurable disease. When hearing this, Sangster wrote four resolutions he fulfilled: I will never complain; I will keep the home bright; I will count my blessings; I will try to turn this into good. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”