We have been fed the idea that, if we are suffering, we necessarily must be doing something wrong, or that we deserve, and have been promised, a pain-free life because we are Christ-followers. God has promised no such thing. God's people can and do suffer - they always have, and they will until Jesus returns.
"Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing:" Psalm 31:9-10 Psalms Chapter 31
Knowing God, pursuing an accurate knowledge of His Word, and believing what He has said, clarifies our perspective and gives us the eyes of gratitude that see His loving hand in all things. For the hurting heart, this is the way of peace.
Let, then, this triumphant language be ours. “I shall come forth as gold” is not the language of carnal boasting, but the confidence of one whose mind was stayed upon God. There will be no credit to our account—the glory will all belong to the divine Refiner.
There is a needs-be for our “trials,” and therefore we are to think them not strange—we should expect them.
C.H. Spurgeon | Morning, April 20th (excerpts) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”— Hebrews 2:14 O child of God, death hath lost its …
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.Psalm 139:5 I do not believe in accidents. If I thought the crash was “just an accident”, a freak chance event, I might just lose myself in despair, in the pointlessness of it. It would take an impossible amount of faith for me …
Continue reading An Act of Love and Sovereign Purpose
If it "shall be" well, then it "is well" even now. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him. Isaiah 3:10 It is well with the righteous always. If it had said, “Say ye to the righteous, that it is well with him in his prosperity,” we must have been thankful …
Continue reading It Shall Be Well | Evening – C.H. Spurgeon
It was “very early in the morning” while “it was yet dark,” that Jesus rose from the dead. Not the sun, but only the morning-star shone upon His opening tomb. The shadows had not fled, the citizens of Jerusalem had not awaked. It was still night–the hour of sleep and darkness, when He arose. Nor …
Continue reading Resurrection Hope – Streams in the Desert 4/14
Guest Post by Missy Hinton My friend Missy Hinton shares with us today the reason for her hope. She reminds us we can trust what God says simply because it is He Who said it. The Truth of God's Word is not in any way altered by our circumstances or by what we are feeling. …
Continue reading Trusting Him Through the Tears
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: Job 13:15. For I know whom I have believed, 2 Tim. 1:12. "In fierce storms," said an old seaman, "we must do one thing; there is only one way: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." This, Christian, is what you …
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15 One of the things that ministered to me the most after Hans left us, was the genuine sorrow people shared with us. It is a sweet joy when folks are brave enough to let me know Hans mattered to them, too. …
Continue reading Letter To A Friend
"Let us make glad our times of trial with holy rejoicing. Let us rejoice in the Lord always, and shout for joy, and so may His blessed Spirit help us to live to His glory."
In the darkness, while Jesus cried, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" the anguish of the moment is beyond anything I can comprehend. It was an unprecedented break in a holy fellowship that had known no interruption for all eternity. This, so I could be reconciled to my Father God.
"Keep your eye steadily fixed on the infinite grandeur of Christ’s finished work and righteousness. Look to Jesus and believe, look to Jesus and live! Nay, more; as you look to him, hoist your sails and buffet manfully the sea of life. Do not remain in the haven of distrust, or sleeping on your shadows …
Continue reading The Just Shall Live by Faith – Streams in the Desert 03/10
You Can Trust Him 