Posts
Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
by C. H. Spurgeon
Wednesday Morning, October 7
Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? Numbers 11:11
Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father's countenance is hidden. A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts his servants to glorify himself, for he is greatly glorified in the graces of his people, which are his own handiwork. When tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope, the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues. We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which his vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified? There are many other comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation, let us muse upon it all day long.
Give me some feed back or your thoughts on this subject of suffering or affliction.
Blessings on Ya
Pastor Kitner
I've experienced healings of disease and a pre-leukemic blood disorder. As a family, we have gone through periods of job loss which caused us to totally depend on God. We've experienced infertility, which led to a wonderous adoption of twins. Many years ago, while going through struggles, I would question God, "Why?" These periods of sufferings have brought this into my life.
ReplyDelete1. Strengthened my faith in God and His power to care for me.
2. Served as a testimony, because I have promised God that I would take every opportunity to tell of His goodness to us and His healing power.
3. Drew me closer to Him. I spend much more time in His Word and time to REALLY know Him.
4.I live each day as if it were my last. I appreciate people more, all that God has given me, and treasure every moment He grants me.
5. I witness more about Christ's return, unafraid of what people think of me!
6. I realize now that my days were numbered, even before I was born, and nothing will happen to me that is not in His plan for my life!
Without suffering and affliction, I would never experience God's power in my own life. I have questions about situations and may never know the answer. But God sees my entire puzzle, I only part. I trust Him to place the pieces where they belong!
Thank you Pastor Kitner, for allowing me to share His goodness once again!!
Blessings to you!
You really get to know the power of God's grace through the fire. In those times God reveals Himself in ways you would never understand in any other way.
ReplyDeletePastor Kitner