I always want to laugh a little and say, “A job will never bring happiness. It can bring many rewards, but it is not the basis for contentment.” The same is true with people: a person cannot make you happy. People will disappoint us. They fail us and rightfully so because our trust needs to be in one Person and that is Jesus Christ. We can work hard to change our circumstances; but, if we are not fully dependent on God, we will face one disappointment after another.

Do All Things without Murmuring

Recently I returned home to Toccoa Falls full of expectation. Christmas was almost here; and I also was looking forward to celebrating my wedding anniversary on December 24. While I was away, I was sent updates on the day-to-day operations of the college, but no one had mentioned one particular problem.

The moment I stepped back on campus I realized something was wrong, and my heart dropped. Though I never told anyone, the temptation to grumble and feel sorry for myself was very strong. As I listened to those around me talk, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Paul’s words to the Philippians: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13).

I couldn’t argue with God. I knew He was right, and He was telling me that He would provide exactly what I needed to withstand this disappointment. Later, I looked up Philippians 4 and reread this verse along with verse 12. I could be content, but contentment required something of me. It meant making a choice to trust God and let go of my expectations. So with disappointing thoughts swirling through my head, I decided to do just that—trust the One who had allowed my circumstances to turn so dark.

Grumbling against God Has Consequences

It is wrong to grumble about the things we cannot control. In fact, there are consequences to murmuring: The Israelites grumbled and the results were disastrous. They murmured about Moses, fussed about not having the food they wanted, and complained about a lack of water. God almost allowed them die in the wilderness. (Numbers 14) One discontented member can spoil a whole family. And discontentment is never a good testimony for Jesus Christ and His faithfulness.

How could Paul say that he could do “all things”? He learned through experience. When trouble came his way, he trusted God to guide him through it. He wrote, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).

Is there a time when discontentment is acceptable? Yes. When God is getting ready to move us to another position, we may feel discontent. Many of our students have said that before they came to Toccoa Falls they felt discontent and sought the Lord in prayer. But the key to victory in this area is this: “Do all things without murmuring or disputing.”

Once while at sea, the ship with John Wesley on board encountered a great storm. Wesley wrote, “All the passengers were frightened except a small group of Moravians. I finally asked one of the men, ‘Are you afraid?’ “He replied, ‘No, why should I be when I know Jesus Christ?’”

This encounter led to John Wesley’s conversion. My question to you is this: Do you know the One who holds your life in His hand? If so, you have discovered the way to eternal contentment.

Taken from a sermon preached by Dr. Richard Forrest on December 12, 1947.

Dr Forrest

By Dr. R. A. Forrest

The president of the United States and the governor of Georgia asked that Friday, March 8, be a day of prayer. Doubtless thousands prayed, and I believe we will hear of miraculous things as a result of the request of thousands. However, not all the prayers spoken were “availing much.” The reason is found in Hebrews 11:6 where we read, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Sadly, many people today do not believe in Jesus Christ. They may acknowledge that there is a god, but far too often now, they are not willing to bow before the God of the universe as an act of worship and prayer.

If a person believes that God is, he must also believe that the Lord is all He claims to be. He must also believe the words Jesus spoke in Mark 10:27, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Usually our first impression about God is: “He can do anything!” However, we allow doubtful thoughts to creep into our minds, and we begin to wonder if His promises are true. There are many places in the Bible where He declares His sovereign ability. Most of us know the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised to give them a son. However, when it came down to the wire, Sarah’s faith wavered.

The Bible says, “When Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth . . . Then they said to him, ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said ‘There, in the tent.’ [The Lord] said, ‘I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing.

“Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?’ And the Lord said the Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?”

“‘Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’” Like many of us, Sarah felt caught and tried to deny her doubt, “I did not laugh,” she said. But God knew the truth, “No, but you did laugh” (v. 15). Thankfully, Sarah did not pursue the conversation any further. More than likely, she became aware that she was in the presence of God.

The words that should stick with us from this interchange are the ones that form the question, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” It is the same question we need to ask ourselves whenever trials linger and seem unbearable or life suddenly turns dark and stormy. Does God know about the heartache, stress, and struggle we are facing? Does He care and will He act on our behalf? I believe He will and He does. In Romans 4, we read that Abraham knew his body was as good as dead, but his faith never wavered. “In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’

“Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:18-21).

Likewise, Job lost everything . . . yet he cries, “I know You can do everything.” In Jeremiah 32, the Promised Land is over run by the enemy. [Life] seemed hopeless and yet Jeremiah believed God could and would deliver the nation of Israel from bondage. His cousin Hanamel challenged his faith by asking him to buy a certain piece of land for 17 shekels (Jeremiah 32:8-15). At the time of the purchase, God’s prophet was in prison. What would he do with a piece of property that appeared to be useless to a man being held captive? Not only this, but it seems this purchase cost him everything.

There will be times when God will ask us to do something that from a human perspective does not make sense. This was one of those situations. Jeremiah knew God was behind the entire matter and obedience to Him was more important than how he appeared to his peers or his enemies. The purchase of this piece of land was also representative of God’s promise to the nation of Israel. He would restore them to the land. When we purchased Haddock Inn in 1911, we did not know how we would make ends meet. Yet, Mrs. Forrest and I knew God had led us this far and He was not about to fail us now. We trusted the Lord, Will you do the same with your life and whatever problem you are facing?

As he sealed the deed, Jeremiah said, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jeremiah 32:17). Several verses later, we read God’s answer, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, is anything too difficult for Me?” God’s reply came in the form of a rhetorical question. In other words, the answer was within the question. Nothing is ever too hard—too difficult or too time consuming for the Lord. Whatever need you have, He has a plan to meet it.

No matter what your position is in life, God is with you and He knows your need. You may be unconvinced of this, but all you need to know is that He believes in you. He is steady and He is sure. Brethren, you are on the winning side. Don’t laugh behind the tent door as Sarah, Abraham’s wife, once did. And don’t faint in times of trial. Have courage because God has a wonderful plan for your life, and you will discover it when you trust Him and allow Him to guide you where you need to go.

—Taken from a sermon by Dr. R. A. Forrest preached on August 10, 1946