Our Lord had no need to undertake the bearing of the cross except to attest and prove his obedience to the Father. But as for us, there are many reasons why we must pass our lives under a continual cross… We readily esteem our virtue above its due measure. And we do not doubt, whatever … Continue reading Why the Lord Gives us Crosses to Bear
It wasn’t until my world started spinning out of control that my true constant became crystal clear. I had spent most of my life, including much of my life as a believer, aiming at moving targets. “Happiness is found in this direction” it would say, and then I would get there, and it would redirect, … Continue reading It Was Good For Me That I Was Afflicted
"I am not fit to be my own chooser; God shall choose for me! I desire nothing but what God sees fit to give me." - Thomas Jacombe This quote is a soul-searching statement about contentment. So much of our turmoil of soul stems from believing our situation should be something other than what it … Continue reading We Are Not Fit to Make Our Own Choice
How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. There is no calm more deep than that which follows a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers.
"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."--Mal. 3:3 My soul! your Refiner and Purifier is Jesus. Jesus shapes all your trials; Jesus sends all your afflictions; Jesus mingles all your sorrows; Jesus shapes and balances all the clouds of your pilgrimage; Jesus prepares and heats the furnace that refines you as silver and purifies … Continue reading Jesus, My Refiner
Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards. Hosea 2:14-15 "Therefore" has a strangely beautiful connection in this verse. God's people had been grievously backsliding. He had been loading them with mercies; they had been guiltily … Continue reading Utterances of Love in the Desert
Men are so ignorant of their own hearts that they are incapable of determining what is best for them. Even regenerate men are but partially sanctified and enlightened. But God searches the heart. He understands our whole case. He knows what is most for our good. He sees our strong corruptions and sad deficiencies. When, … Continue reading When God Disappoints
Sovereign Lord, what I most desired you have denied, yet I praise you! On what account, I know not, yet I praise you. You have done it; that silences me. Your will makes it indisputable, and renders it my indispensable duty to your wise determinations. Hitherto I have had no complaint on the conduct of … Continue reading 7 Lessons When Prayer Seems Unanswered
And He took with Him Peter and James and John and began to be very distressed and troubled. - Mark 14:33 If our Lord, who was sinless, had times in which He became distressed, how should we who are sinful expect to escape them? There have been many people who have preached what is called the … Continue reading Distressed Yet Victorious
The Fight of Faith 