God's promises are
like strong wine stored up for a time of need: "Call upon me in the day of
trouble," He says (Psalm 50:15). Certainly we can call on God
in seasons of quiet peace, but He would have us be the boldest in the "day
of trouble"-- no one finds such a fast help at the throne of grace as the
suffering saint. David testifies to this truth when he says: "In the day
when I cried thou answers me and strengthens me with strength in my soul"
(Psalm 138:3). We might not welcome a visit from a friend when it is past midnight,
but we do not mind if such a person needs us at that late hour. In such
emergencies we gladly go with the messenger who comes for us-- and so does God.
Peter knocked at the gate of the assembly who prayed for him almost as soon as
their supplication knocked at the gate of heaven in his behalf.
The temptations of
an afflicted person are great; to him every delay seems like neglect or
oversight. Therefore God chooses to show marvelous measures of kindness at
these times: "As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation
also abounds by Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:5). As man struggles with
trouble, Christ supplies comfort. Both tides rise and fall together.
Just as we relieve
the poor in their most extreme needs, Christ comforts His people as their
troubles multiply. Now tell me, does not our Lord deserve a ready spirit in you
to meet any suffering, which brings His sweetest grace? And this, when you
might expect the pains of severest sorrows to overcome you?”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617
No comments:
Post a Comment