Category Archives: suffering

When foundations shake

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David’s world was shaking, right down to the foundations. As he begins PSALM 11 he first states his firm hope in God, but goes on to vividly describe the calamity breaking upon him…

[1] In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, [2] for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; [3] if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
(Psalm 11:1-3 ESV)

Then in verse 4 David turns his thoughts (and ours) to the ROCK, the true foundation and pillar of the universe…

[4] The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD’s throne is in heaven….

Meditating upon this, William Plumer writes this exhortation: “There is always ground of hope to one who trusts in God. All is not lost, that is brought into jeopardy. While God lives and reigns, there is hope for a good cause and for a good man. We may boldly challenge all who would drive us to despair.”

Amen!
pdb

Never orphans

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“Do you have a father?” Genesis 44:19
by James Smith (“Bread from Heaven!” 1857)
(distributed by Grace Gems)

Standing at my window one day, while the cholera was raging in London, I saw two corpses carried by, followed by one little child, walking alone next the coffins, with a few neighbors behind. That child was now an orphan. Both parents had been carried off by the pestilence. The sight of that child produced deep emotions, and awakened painful sympathy in my heart.

I was led to think of the sorrows and privations of orphanhood, and then of the happiness of the Lord’s people to whom Jesus has said, “I will not leave you as orphans.” A believer can never be an orphan! He has an ever-living, ever-loving, ever-present Father! But many of the Lord’s people do not realize this, therefore they do not live and act under its influence.

There are believers who are always complaining of their circumstances:
They are worked too hard.
They are tried more than others.
They have such a vexing family.
They have such a demanding job.
They have such financial losses.
They have no end of things to vex, harass, and distress them!

Complaining Christian, “Do you have a father?”
If so, had your Father anything to do with fixing your lot?
Did He place you where you are?
Is He wise?
Is He good?
Has He ever told you, that all things shall work together for your good?
Does He know what is best for you?
Has He left things to ‘chance’–or has He arranged all in His own infinite mind, and does He work all by His unerring providence? If He does–then are you justified in complaining?

Have you any real cause to complain?
Will it better your circumstances?
Will it please your Father?
Will it any way help you?
If not, leave off complaining, and “having food and clothing, let us be content with these!”

Seek grace from God, your Father, that you may . . .
do all that is required,
bear all that is sent, and
endure all that is to be suffered–to His glory!