His All-comforting Balm

"I have overcome the world." When these words were spoken, our Savior was about to leave His disciples to go to His death for their sakes. His great concern was that they might not be overly cast down by the trials which would come upon them. He desired to prepare their minds for the heavy sorrows which awaited them, while the powers of darkness and evil men wrought their wicked will upon Him. 

Observe that our Lord Jesus, in whom infinite wisdom dwells, knew all the secret springs of comfort, and all the hallowed sources of consolation; and yet in order to console His disciples, He spoke concerning Himself. Does He not herein teach us, that there is no balm for the broken heart, like Himself; and that there is no consolation comparable to His own person and His work. 

If the divine consoler Himself must point to who He Himself is to us, and what He has done for us, in order to comfort us then how wise it must be for ministers to preach much of Jesus by way of encouragement to the Lord's afflicted.  And how prudent it is for troubled believers to look to Him for all the comfort they need. "Be of good cheer," He says, "I" something about Himself, "I have overcome the world." 

So then beloved, in every time of trouble or sorrow, hasten to the Lord Jesus! Whenever the cares of life burden you, and the way is hard for your weary feet flee to Jesus! There are other sources of consolation, but they are not helpful at all times, or in every situation. But there dwells such a fullness of comfort in Jesus, that His streams of consolation are always flowing. However great your trouble, and from whatever quarter it may arise resort at once to Jesus for His all-comforting balm. It has been rightly said, "The Spirit is the comforter, but Jesus is the comfort." 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

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John 16:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Matthew 11:28 ... Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

2 Corinthians 1:4 ... Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. ❤

"Joy-Suffering"

We are not called to rejoice at suffering in and of itself. Suffering is bad, suffering is hard, and suffering often comes at the hands of wicked people. Therefore, we do not rejoice in suffering because we love the suffering in and of itself. We rejoice in suffering because we look forward to what God is able to do through our suffering. Paul [in Romans 5:1-5] celebrated the fact that through our sufferings and afflictions God is bringing about endurance, proven character, and hope. 

[Heath Lambert]

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Proverbs 3:5-6 ... Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

1 Peter 4:13 ... But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

John 16:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.❤

Called to Suffering?

If your Lord calls you to suffering, do not be dismayed, for He will provide a deeper portion of Christ in your suffering. The softest pillow will be placed under your head though you must set your bare feet among thorns. Do not be afraid at suffering for Christ, for He has a sweet peace for a sufferer. God has called you to Christ's side, and if the wind is now in His face, you cannot expect to rest on the sheltered side of the hill. 

You cannot be above your Master who received many an innocent stroke. The greatest temptation out of hell is to live without trials. A pool of standing water will turn stagnant. Faith grows more with the sharp winter storm in its face. Grace withers without adversity. You cannot sneak quietly into heaven without a cross. Crosses form us into His image. They cut away the pieces of our corruption. Lord cut, carve, wound; Lord does anything to perfect Your image in us and make us fit for glory! 

We need winnowing before we enter the kingdom of God. O what I owe to the file, hammer, and furnace! Why should I be surprised at the plough that makes such deep furrows in my soul? Whatever direction the wind blows, it will blow us to the Lord. His hand will direct us safely to the heavenly shore to find the weight of eternal glory. As we look back to our pains and suffering, we shall see that suffering is not worthy to be compared to our first night's welcome home in heaven. 

If we could smell of heaven and our country above, our crosses would not bite us. Lay all your loads by faith on Christ, ease yourself, and let Him bear all. He can, He does, and He will bear you. Whether God comes with a rod or a crown, He comes with Himself. "Have courage, I am your salvation!" Welcome, welcome Jesus! 

[Samuel Rutherford]

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1 Peter 3:14 ... But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

Romans 8:17 ... And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

James 1:2 ... My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;❤

As Your Days — So Shall Your Strength Be!

Here is a precious promise for a trying day! It belongs to every Christian who is traveling to the Celestial City. It provides for every part of life's journey; for every day as each day may require. It is especially suited to the dark days, the wintry days, and the trying days when all our earthly props fail us; the days when our fellow man cannot help us. 

Fellow pilgrim! Are you dispirited, depressed, and cast down? Are you looking back upon the past with sorrow and forward into the future with fear? Cheer up! The Lord will not lay on you more than He will enable you to bear nor will He allow any other to do so. However weak you may feel in yourself, however rough the road you may need to travel, however heavy the burden you may have to carry God will supply you with sufficient strength for the day! He has never allowed you to be crushed yet, though you may have staggered under some heavy burdens. He who has helped you in the past is still your helper today. He will also help you in all the future. "As your days" be they as troublesome as they may "so shall your strength be." Whether your day brings life or death, joy or trial it does not matter. God will send you exactly what you need to pass through it! 

Do not look at your trials, do not dwell on your inability but lay hold on the promises of God and seek His grace to exercise faith in Him. Then let Satan suggest what he pleases, or the flesh object as it may you will be able to say, "I will not fear; for as my day so shall my strength be. He who has promised will also fulfill His promise." Blessed Lord, I praise You for this precious promise! Help, oh, help me to trust in it; and day by day as duty or trials may require enable me to look to You and expect sufficient strength from You! 

[James Smith]

Deuteronomy 33:25 ... Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

Psalm 138:3 ...   In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. ❤

The Pruning Knife...

To the true believer, afflictions are blessings in disguise. Every trial is intended for my good. My foolish heart would be too much attached to the earth, if the spade were not inserted to loosen the fibers, and disengage the root that when transplanted, I may bear a richer fruit in the Paradise above. 

My heavenly Father, whose love and wisdom are infinite knows exactly what I need, and how much suffering is needed to promote the spirituality of my heart and mind. Shall I then repine at His dispensations of love? 

A murmuring spirit increases every evil, doubles the affliction, and adds a sting to sorrow. If our hearts are in Heaven, then the trials of earth will be light and momentary for the Savior's love will sweeten every care, lighten every cross, and disarm affliction of its sting! 

Oh! that we may learn wisdom by every afflictive Providence and yield more fruit by every application of the pruning knife! 

[Thomas Reade] 

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John 15:2 ... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Hebrews 12:10-11 ... For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ...  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ❤

Medicine For The Soul!

The people of God are not promised exemption from trial but support under it! The Lord does not engage to lead His children by a smooth path but to furnish them with shoes of iron and brass, that they may safely walk the rugged and thorny road. He does not promise to bridge over the waters of sorrow and the rivers of tribulation but assures them of His presence as they pass through them. "I will be with you!" 

He says, "When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up." 

Christian pilgrim will not this suffice? Support in trial, will suit you better than exemption from it. Affliction and sorrow, in the hands of the great Physician are medicine for the soul! The wounds He inflicts are for the healing of the spirit! The fire He may lead you through will not burn but only purify and brighten you! 

[Author Unknown]

Isaiah 43:1-3 ... But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

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The Trials and Sufferings of The Godly

God's own people often suffer great afflictions! "This is what the wicked are like always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. For I am afflicted all day long!" (Psalm 73:12-14)  

How can this be consistent with God's justice? God's ways of judgment are sometimes secret, but never unjust! The Lord never afflicts His people without a cause; He cannot be unjust towards them. There is some good in the godly therefore the wicked afflict them. There is some evil in them therefore God afflicts them! God's own children have their blemishes. "But aren't you also guilty of sins against the Lord your God?" (2 Chronicles 28:10) 

These spiritual diamonds have they no flaws? Do we not read of the spots of God's children? Are not they guilty of much pride, passion, worldliness? Though, by their profession, they should resemble the birds of paradise, to fly above, and feed upon the dew of heaven—yet, as the serpent, they often lick the dust! The sins of God's people do more provoke God than the sins of others. "The Lord saw this and was filled with loathing. He was provoked to anger by His own sons and daughters." (Deuteronomy 32:19)

The sins of others pierce Christ's side. The sins of His people wound His heart! Therefore, is not God just in all the afflictions which befall them? "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your sins." (Amos 3:2) I will punish you sooner, surer, sorer than others. 

The trials and sufferings of the godly, are to refine and purify them. God's furnace is in Zion. Is it any injustice in God to put His gold into the furnace to purify it? Is it any injustice in God, by afflicting His people, to make them partakers of His holiness? What more proclaims God's faithfulness than to take such a course with them as may make them more holy? 

[Thomas Watson] 

Psalm 119:75 ...  I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

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Tools and Instruments!!

Let all true Christians lay these things to heart and take courage. We live in a world where all things are ordered by a hand of perfect wisdom; and where in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. The powers of this world are only tools in the hand of God. He is always using them for His own purposes, however little they may be aware of it. They are the instruments by which He is forever cutting and polishing the living stones of His spiritual temple and all their schemes and plans will only turn to His praise. 

Let us be patient in days of trouble and darkness and look forward. The very things which now seem against us are all working together for our good and God's glory! 

[J. C. Ryle]

Judges 6:13 ... And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

1 Peter 4:16 ... Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ❤

Submission In Trials

It is true that our afflictions are great and manifold. Yet we have no reason for complaint, when we know that our afflictions are all ordered in number, measure, and duration--for our best and greatest good, according to the counsels of God's infinite wisdom and love! We have no reason for complaint, when we are assured that our afflictions are the very things which we would choose for ourselves, if we saw the outcome of them as clearly as God sees it! If we view our afflictions in this way, we shall receive even the most painful of God's dispensations as blessings in disguise! 

[Charles Simeon] 

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John 16:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Psalm 119:71 ... It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ... For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. ❤

Should We Not Be Prepared to Kiss It?

The believer, when smarting under the rod of temporal distress, is often ready to say with Jacob, "All these things are against me!" Owing to the weakness of his faith, he concludes that "God has forgotten him." He forgets that "Whom the Lord loves, He chastens, (Revelation 3:19) and scourges every son whom He receives" that his Lord once said, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." (John 16:33)

To sink down under troubles and conclude that there is no relief for us is to distrust our Father's care, and to doubt His everlasting love for us. It may not seem good to God, who orders each event of our lives to grant us the prosperity which we naturally desire. He may discover in us so much remaining depravity, developed in the forms of pride, sensuality, or self-seeking as to make it necessary to visit us with the rod of correction. When that rod is intended to extirpate these sins, should we not be prepared to kiss it? Is not God's rod designed to wean us from the world, and to drive us more closely to the bosom of eternal love? 

"All things", including of course these very trials and afflictions God causes to work together for our good. Are we sick and suffering in body? Let us not despair. The affliction shall work for our good. Relief will come in due time. Or if the sickness "be unto death," God can make it conducive to a calm or triumphant departure. Are you poor, and apprehensive that your needs may not be supplied? 

O trust in your Father's care, who will "withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11) Do enemies beset your path? God can change the bitterest of them into friends; or can defend and deliver you from their ire. And what though all these afflictions press upon the soul at once even then the promise is not nullified, it is only made the more precious! Doubt not that His mercy is in your every trial and affliction. And always remember that when Heaven is attained, these sorrows will be felt no more forever! (Revelation 21:4)

[Jared Waterbury] 

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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It's All Part of The Cross

Let it be a settled principle in our minds, that the true Christian must always enter the kingdom of God "through much tribulation" (Acts 14:22). If we are faithful and decided servants of Christ, the world will certainly hate us, as it hated our Master. In one way or another, true grace will always be persecuted. 

No consistency of conduct, however faultless; no kindness and amiability of character, however striking will exempt a believer from the world's dislike, so long as he lives. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is mere waste of time to murmur at it. It is a part of the cross, and we must bear it patiently. The children of Cain will hate the children of Abel, as long as the earth continues. "Marvel not, my brethren," says John, "if the world hates you." "If you were of the world," says our Lord, "the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world — therefore the world hates you!" (1 John 3:13; John 15:18-19) 

This world is not our home! Our best things are yet to come! 

[J.C. Ryle]

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Black Seeds Without Beauty.

The first condition of consecration must always be entire readiness to accept God's will for our life. It is not enough to be willing to do Christian work. There are many people who are quite ready to do certain things in the service of Christ, who are not ready to do anything He might want them to do. God does not send us two classes of providences one good, and one evil. All are good. 

Affliction is God's goodness in the seed. It takes time for a seed to grow and to develop into fruitfulness. Many of the best things of our lives come to us first as pain, suffering, earthly loss or disappointment black seeds without beauty but afterward they grow into the rich harvest of righteousness.

[J. R. Miller]

Hebrews 12:11 ... Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Luke 22:42 ...  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ❤

Place of Repair

When trials press upon me and God permits the unexpected test, ‘Tis there I learn some lesson sweet and precious as simply on His faithfulness I rest. 

[Unknown Author]

John 19:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ❤

The Fires of Life

When you belong to God, you can go through the fires of life and not even smell like smoke.

[Author Unknown]

1 Peter 1:7 ... That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ❤

Greatest Good...

The greatest good suffering can do for me is to increase my capacity for God. It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.

Real satisfaction comes not in understanding God's motives, but in understanding His character, in trusting in His promises, and in leaning on Him and resting in Him as the Sovereign who knows what He is doing and does all things well.

[Joni Eareckson Tada]

1 Peter 4:13 ... But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ❤

Gold Suffering

In order to be able to truly judge rightly you must know what it is to suffer injustice. Sensitivity in this area is what He is after; For His people will judge the nations in righteousness. 

The trying of your faith purges out insensitivity and iniquity. He has not let go of your hand. He stands with you in your trial and the fiery furnace. Those who seek to move in His authority will walk a path similar to the path He walked. Suffering produces the beautiful gold of good character. His life surrounds you. Take heart. 

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

Zechariah 13:9 ... And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Isaiah 48:10 ... Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

Job 23:10 ... But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ❤

The Art of Enduring.

There is a Christian art of enduring pain, which we should seek to learn.  The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life, to bear it bravely, without wincing, to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly.  

Pain has a higher mission to us, than to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get something of blessing out of it. It brings to us some message from God, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of his beauty, every time we are called to suffer. 

Pain is furnace-fire, and we should come out of it always with the gold of our character gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way to lift us nearer God, to make us gentler and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives. 

[J.R. Miller]

Job 23:10 ... But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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The Heart..

Two people endure the same experience. One comes out praising God. The other comes out blaming God. The difference lies in the heart. 

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ... But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Psalm 51:10 ...  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Matthew 12:35 ...  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. ❤

Thank God that He has Veiled the Future!

God's purposes have all their seasons of fulfillment. His judgments each have their time of visitation. Mapped out in clear perspective, your every dispensation was fixed from everlasting in the eternal mind of God. Your sunny seasons, and your cloudy days; sorrow and pain, anxiety and lack, your every loss of property or friends all was designed before you ever saw the light. Trials may be in store for you, the thoughts of which would harrow up your soul if you knew they were coming! 

All this is known and ordained by God. What it will be, or when it is to come.  He never tells to His creatures. As lightning strikes for quickness; as wave comes after wave for frequency; so may trials visit you. They are as uncertain as the wind. Yet fixed in divine purpose, and in performance sure they come. From day to day, from hour to hour, who can foretell his future? "Therefore, the misery of man is great upon him!" 

Reader, is this your feeling? Is "therefore" misery great on you? Does it make you brood over possibilities alarmed at the contingency of woes? Would you rather, that all were known before, that you might be prepared for whatever trials and tribulations come? Rather, thank God that He has veiled the future, and deals out His dispensations one by one. The time, the way, the kind, the circumstances are all fixed by unerring wisdom, and by boundless love. It is thus that God is glorified; His power felt; His sovereignty known, free from the trammels of His creatures' will. Matchless in skill; unfailing in resources He thus proclaims His sovereign Godhead. 

The world may murmur, but the saints submit to God's sovereign plan. The world may tremble, but the saints are glad. In all their woes, they see a Father's hand, and a Savior's sympathy. They would not alter it if they could! They meekly leave the future to their God. The times and seasons; the "what," the "when," the "how," the "why" they would not, dare not, know! But these things they do know: that as their days so their strength shall be; that He who counts the stars and calls them by their names will heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds; that divine comforts shall keep pace with worldly sorrows, and that God's grace will be sufficient for every time of need! 

[George Mylne] 

Ecclesiastes 8:7 ... For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

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No Strange Thing!

Men that have their spirits heated and enraged and rising in bitter resentment when they are injured act as if they thought some strange thing had happened to them. Whereas they are very foolish in so thinking for it is no strange thing at all but only what was to be expected in a world like this. They therefore do not act wisely that allow their spirits to be ruffled by the injuries they suffer. 

[Jonathan Edwards]

1 Peter 4:12-13 ... Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

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