Category: Suffering and Affliction
God’s Purpose and Faith in Exercise in View of Sickness and Death
III.—To the Viscountess of Kenmure, on occasion of illness and spiritual depression. ACQUIESCENCE IN GOD’S PURPOSE—FAITH IN EXERCISE—ENCOURAGEMENT IN VIEW OF SICKNESS AND DEATH—PUBLIC AFFAIRS. Madam, —All dutiful obedience in the Lord remembered. I have heard of your Ladyship’s infirmity and sickness with grief; yet I trust ye have learned to say, “It is the Lord, let Him do whatsoever seemeth good in His eyes.” It is now many years since the apostate angels made a question, ...
God’s Purpose and Faith in Exercise in View of Sickness and Death
III.—To the Viscountess of Kenmure, on occasion of illness and spiritual depression. ACQUIESCENCE IN GOD’S PURPOSE—FAITH IN EXERCISE—ENCOURAGEMENT IN VIEW OF SICKNESS AND DEATH—PUBLIC AFFAIRS. Madam, —All dutiful obedience in the Lord remembered. I have heard of your Ladyship’s infirmity and sickness with grief; yet I trust ye have learned to say, “It is the Lord, let Him do whatsoever seemeth good in His eyes.” It is now many years since the apostate angels made a question, ...
For Christian Parents on the Death of Their Offspring
II.—To a Christian Gentlewoman on the death of her daughter. CHRIST’S SYMPATHY WITH, AND PROPERTY IN US—REASONS FOR RESIGNATION Mistress —My love in Christ remembered to you. I was indeed sorrowful at my departure from you, especially since ye were in such heaviness after your daughter’s death. Yet I do persuade myself, ye know that the weightiest end of the cross of Christ that is laid upon you lieth upon your strong Saviour; for Isaiah saith, “In all ...
For Christian Parents on the Death of Their Offspring
II.—To a Christian Gentlewoman on the death of her daughter. CHRIST’S SYMPATHY WITH, AND PROPERTY IN US—REASONS FOR RESIGNATION Mistress —My love in Christ remembered to you. I was indeed sorrowful at my departure from you, especially since ye were in such heaviness after your daughter’s death. Yet I do persuade myself, ye know that the weightiest end of the cross of Christ that is laid upon you lieth upon your strong Saviour; for Isaiah saith, “In all ...
Courage, Dear Heart! The Lord Will Bear You Up!
God is too holy to not do the things that would bring Him the greatest glory. God loves you too much to not do the things that would bring you the greatest good. Even if what bids to His greatest glory and your greatest good is suffering unspeakable, tomorrow still promises the morning dew of the love and fullness of blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord. "For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be ...
Courage, Dear Heart! The Lord Will Bear You Up!
God is too holy to not do the things that would bring Him the greatest glory. God loves you too much to not do the things that would bring you the greatest good. Even if what bids to His greatest glory and your greatest good is suffering unspeakable, tomorrow still promises the morning dew of the love and fullness of blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord. "For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be ...
“Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him”
We live in a sad and dying world. Though as Christians we are promised joy and peace that surpasses understanding, many, many moments in our lives will we experience trials in great severities. Many times will we cry out, "Why God? Why me? Why this? Why now?" And in many moments we are overcome with grief and depression, our hope and joy is lost. But should it be so? Is not that which Scripture tells of ...
“Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him”
We live in a sad and dying world. Though as Christians we are promised joy and peace that surpasses understanding, many, many moments in our lives will we experience trials in great severities. Many times will we cry out, "Why God? Why me? Why this? Why now?" And in many moments we are overcome with grief and depression, our hope and joy is lost. But should it be so? Is not that which Scripture tells of ...
What Have I Done to Deserve to Suffering?
One of the marks of the Christian life is suffering, but is it not true that the problem of suffering is as much considered outside of the Christian world as it is amongst Christians? Prior to conversion I am sure the question "What have I done to deserve this?" has rolled out of your lips at least once in your time. We set ourselves in labor to demand fairness and justice from our fellow man, ...
What Have I Done to Deserve to Suffering?
One of the marks of the Christian life is suffering, but is it not true that the problem of suffering is as much considered outside of the Christian world as it is amongst Christians? Prior to conversion I am sure the question "What have I done to deserve this?" has rolled out of your lips at least once in your time. We set ourselves in labor to demand fairness and justice from our fellow man, ...
Called to Suffer with Him, Die with Him and be Raised with Him
Is there purpose in suffering? If there is, what is the ultimate purpose of suffering? What is the overarching reason for suffering in the lives of believers? Is conformity to the image of the Lord Christ Jesus the ultimate end? As glorious a grace it is for God to be patient with His people to work death in them that spiritual life in them may be given greater life, I'm convinced that it pales in comparison ...
Called to Suffer with Him, Die with Him and be Raised with Him
Is there purpose in suffering? If there is, what is the ultimate purpose of suffering? What is the overarching reason for suffering in the lives of believers? Is conformity to the image of the Lord Christ Jesus the ultimate end? As glorious a grace it is for God to be patient with His people to work death in them that spiritual life in them may be given greater life, I'm convinced that it pales in comparison ...
The Love of God in the Face of Doubt, Fear and Anxiety
When God first comes to His people one of the things He calls them to consider is nature. The Lord Jesus Himself bids us to consider the created order and behold the manifold wisdom of God and the wonders of His grace. He asks us to consider the birds of the air that they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet the heavenly Father feeds them (Matthew 6:26). He calls us to bring ...
The Love of God in the Face of Doubt, Fear and Anxiety
When God first comes to His people one of the things He calls them to consider is nature. The Lord Jesus Himself bids us to consider the created order and behold the manifold wisdom of God and the wonders of His grace. He asks us to consider the birds of the air that they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet the heavenly Father feeds them (Matthew 6:26). He calls us to bring ...
“Nevertheless”: The Supreme Prayer of Faith
Surely there's not a man that lived on this earth who is remotely close to being worthy to be given relief in this life than the Lord Jesus Christ, yet even to the Son, God said "no". How would you fare, dear reader, when confronted with indescribable pain and suffering? Does your faith, your theology and your character allow you to be prepared to accept such affliction purposed by God? Or would you, like many miserable ...
“Nevertheless”: The Supreme Prayer of Faith
Surely there's not a man that lived on this earth who is remotely close to being worthy to be given relief in this life than the Lord Jesus Christ, yet even to the Son, God said "no". How would you fare, dear reader, when confronted with indescribable pain and suffering? Does your faith, your theology and your character allow you to be prepared to accept such affliction purposed by God? Or would you, like many miserable ...
The Cup of the Wrath of God That Will Never Touch Our Lips
“He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed”—Matthew 26:37 Sorrow and deep distress marked the inner spirit of Jesus as He entered into prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. This moment marked a time of intense agony for Him. He was nearing the climax of His Great Passion. The Great Passion of Jesus was the focal point of His divine vocation. No one was ever called by God to greater suffering than that suffering to which ...
The Cup of the Wrath of God That Will Never Touch Our Lips
“He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed”—Matthew 26:37 Sorrow and deep distress marked the inner spirit of Jesus as He entered into prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. This moment marked a time of intense agony for Him. He was nearing the climax of His Great Passion. The Great Passion of Jesus was the focal point of His divine vocation. No one was ever called by God to greater suffering than that suffering to which ...