Tues 11th Aug: a greater purpose

_"So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you_." (2 Corinthians 4:12) 

Being forced into hard places gives us a whole new perspective on life. Things we once valued no longer hold the same value. Small things become big things, and what we once thought big no longer holds such importance. 

These hard places allow us to identify with the sufferings of others. It keeps us from having a shallow view of the hardships of others and allows us to truly identify with them. Those who speak of such trials from no experience often judge others who have had such hardship. It is a superficiality of Christian experience that often permeates shallow believers. 

Those who have walked in hard places immediately have a kinship with others who have walked there also. They do not need to explain; they merely look at one another with mutual respect and admiration for their common experience. They know that death has worked a special thing in them. This death leads to life in others because of the hard places God has taken them through. 

It is impossible to appreciate any valley experience while you are in it. However, once you have reached the top of the mountain, you are able to appreciate what terrain you have passed through. You marvel at what you were able to walk through. The valley of the shadow of death has yielded more than you ever thought possible. You are able to appreciate the beauty of the experience and lay aside the sorrow and pain it may have produced. 

Death works in you for a greater purpose. If you are there today, be assured that God is producing something of much greater value than you will ever know. 

Dear Lord  In recent months we have all experienced life in a new and different way which has given us a whole new perspective on life. We thank you that for many of us lockdown has given us a breathing space and time to stop and appreciate the things you have given us. Our families, our homes and the beauty of your creation and as lockdown is eased we don’t want to go back to how things were before.  

Many are going through hard places. These hard places allow us to identify with the sufferings of others and keep us from having a shallow view of the hardships of others, allowing us to truly identify with them.   

Dear Lord Please help us to use our experiences to be a witness, blessing and support to others. 

Please help us to be able to appreciate YOUR timing LORD and the work YOU have done in us and lay aside the sorrow and pain it may have produced and to be assured that YOU LORD are producing something of much greater value than we will ever know. 

Amen

 

Thurs 13th Aug - #95. Quietness and Confidence

 

Towards the end of our Bible Study last night we came to this verse: “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30v15). It is such a comforting verse.  I quoted CHSpurgeon and his reflections on it… and so I thought today I would send you Spurgeon’s words as read. Enjoy and be comforted.

 

“This is a truth concerning all the trials and troubles of this life. Some of you are passing through business troubles, for there are many tremors in the business world, and perhaps they are causing you to shake and tremble. If so, do not be readily carried away by these secondary matters. Do not let them depress or excite you. Hold loosely to all worldly things, but grip firmly the unseen God. Fussing, worrying, and hurrying will do no good. Be calm and quiet; all will be well if you are the Lord‘s child.

 

Perhaps your trial is personal sickness. If so, nothing can be better than quietness and confidence. Worrying will not make you well, though it might keep you ill. You will be sick just as long as God appoints, but if anything can help to heal it is quietness and confidence of heart.

 

Have you lost a friend? Is there a great sorrow? Have you some loved one lying in a new grave? My friend, you cannot bring the dear one back, and you should not wish to do so. It is wise to submit to the inevitable. It is gracious to bow to the will of your ever-gracious God. You cannot do anything that will be as helpful to your sorrowing spirit as to exercise quietness and confidence; it will indeed be your strength.

 

Do you have a sorrow fully equal to bereavement? Have you a loved one who daily suffers? Is that the living cross you have to carry? Do not worry. Submit to the Lord‘s will. Ask Him for

grace to acquiesce in it, and learn to wait on the Lord.

 

God‘s tested child, whatever your condition, remember this promise, ―In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

 

From Paul 

But really from Charles Haddon Spurgeon