GODLY POISE
We want to think God hears only our prayers and nice words, and doesn‘t pay attention to our unpleasant and grumbling words. But no, the Bible says He hears our grumbling, and that our grumbling is not inconsequential or trivial because it is against Him!
God says "I have heard your grumbling...." Notably, He does not say “I have heard your prayers”! Israel in the wilderness grumbled about their leaders, and about the food that God provided every day, and the food they missed from Egypt. God put up with all of this a long time, even with their insulting: “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!” (Numbers 14:2)
Finally God says, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me.” Numbers 14:27-29
God’s response to their grumbling demands some serious self examination. Am I a grumbler? Are my grumblings many and often, and my prayers meager and seldom? Have I been aware that my grumbling has been against God? The threats and manipulations and exaggerated self pity in their grumblings, insulting God’s grace and mercy, finally brought His justice down on them. They grumbled “I wish I could die”, and God finally said, “I will see that you do”.
Our sinful fallen natures grumble without qualm about our relationships, unmet desires, inconveniences and discomforts, leaders, food, prices, taxes. But Christians are to live by the Holy Spirit of Christ, not by whatever annoyance bubbles up from our sinful natures. We are not to arrogantly imply by our grumbling that God should do better for us.
Having received the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, Christians are able to “rejoice in our tribulations” rather than grumble in them, knowing they come from God with a high purpose.
I think of this rejoicing in tribulations (as opposed to grumbling) as “godly poise“, a calm composure and dignity in the troubles that God designs for our ultimate good.. Composure and grace, “poise”, are godly qualities that took our Lord Jesus all the way through the cross without a grumble or complaint about fairness, rights, or comfort. He assures us that everything that comes to us is by God’s gracious will for our present and eternal good. Faith in God’s sovereign rule over my life makes trouble bearable, even joyful.
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
Israel missed their opportunity to display godly poise in their tribulations.
Faithless, they grumbled in discontent instead of persevering toward proven
character and hope. Instead of daily becoming more poised in grace, they
daily grumbled at whatever annoyed them--and became habitual
complainers. Did they realize that they were dangerously grumbling at
God’s sovereignty? No, they were blind to their arrogance that foolishly
told them that they had a better idea for their lives than God had.
The promise of “proven character” and “the hope of the love of God poured out within our hearts” should be all the motivation we need to persevere with joy through hard things without grumbling. We will all “turn out” to be either those who persevere and gain proven character and hope in Christ Jesus; or grumblers against God. There seems to be no middle ground, no safe gray area. As always, we either live by the Spirit of Christ, or by our fallen sinful nature.
Here are some scriptures relating to godly poise to inspire us to lay aside our grumbling, and to “exult in our tribulations” with the composure, thankfulness, and dignity--the godly poise--of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.”
Psalm 131
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.“ Proverbs 31:25
“O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes;
Make Your way straight before me” Psalm 5:8
“…in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, “ Philippians 1:28-29
“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
For,
"THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS,
MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
"HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD;
HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."
Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.“ I Peter 3:8-18
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” I Peter 4:12-14
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” I Peter 5:6-9
“But He gives a greater grace Therefore it says, " GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." James 4:6
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord….“ II Peter 1:2
Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.” Proverbs 31:25
“But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud.” Isaiah 57:20
Rae Edlin
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