This is from a longer quote sent from Grace Gems daily emails. I need to be reminded of these things often because I’m such a slow learner.
“My times are in Your hands!” Psalm 31:15
…We shrink from suffering, from sacrifice, from struggle–but perhaps these are the very experiences which will do the most good for us, which will best mature our Christian graces, which will fit us for the largest service to God and man.
We should always remember that the object of living here, is not merely to have present comfort, to get along with the least trouble, to gather the most we can of the world’s treasures, to win the brightest fame. We are here to grow into the beauty of Christ, and to do the portion of God’s will that belongs to us!
There is something wonderfully inspiring in the thought, that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, for each life. We do not come drifting into this world–and do not drift through it like waves on the ocean. We are sent from God, each one of us with a divine plan for his life–something God wants us to do, some place He wants us to fill. All through our lives we are in the hands of God, who chooses our place and orders our circumstances, and makes all things work together for our good–and His glory.
It is the highest honor that could be conferred upon us, to occupy such a place in the thought of God. We cannot doubt that His way for us is better than ours, since He is infinitely wiser than we are, and loves us so. It may be painful and hard–but in the pain and the hardness, there is blessing.
Of course we may not know all the reasons there are in the divine mind, for the pains and sufferings that come into our lives, or what God’s design for us in these trials is. Yet without discovering any reasons at all, however, we may still trust God, who loves us with an infinite love–and whose wisdom also is infinite!
When we get to heaven, we shall know that God has made no mistake in anything He has done for us, however He may have broken into our plans–and spoiled our pleasant dreams!
It should be reason for measureless gratitude, that our lives are not in our own poor feeble hands–but in the hands of our infinitely wise and loving Father!
Excerpt from J. R. Miller, “The Lesson of Love” 1903
7 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 11, 2009 at 7:47 am
Ruby
Thanks for posting that piece, Susan.
I seem to be a slow learner too. Perhaps that is why the trials keep coming. It does sharpen and strengthen us though. God’s eternal purpose is not revealed now but we can joy and rest in his wisdom and justice and grace! All praise to him!
November 11, 2009 at 10:23 am
Jillian
I appear to be a really slow learner, too, but God doesn’t care, as long as we are growing to be more like His precious Son each day.
The trials might keep coming, but we can rest in Him, knowing that He works all things out for good to them that love Him, to those called according to His purpose.
Blessings,
Jillian
November 11, 2009 at 2:10 pm
mengmom
Susan, this is a very apt reminder for the times we live in. With the hard economic times and the growing worldliness around us(even in the church), it should really open our eyes to the fact that as Christians we have a responsibility in this world. Not to live a life of ease as he stated, but to be a light to those around us. That others may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. We are reading J.R. Miller’s book ‘Come Ye Apart’ in our evening devotions right now. It is devoted to encouraging believers to separate themselves from the world and follow the example of Christ when he lived on the earth. Something we all need to be reminded of daily. I know I do!
November 11, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Heidi
What a wonderful thing to read this morning. Thank you, Susan.
November 11, 2009 at 6:38 pm
virginiasusan
I’m glad you all were encouraged by those words. The Grace Gems quotes have been quite good and are often challenging too. I had never heard of J. R. Miller before reading the email quotes. How interesting that you are reading his devotions, Denise. I’d like to read some more of his writings.
November 11, 2009 at 9:06 pm
mengmom
J.R. Miller also has a little booklet that I would recommend. It is called ‘The Master’s Blesseds’ and it is a devotional book based on the beattitudes. I was very blessed by it. I first heard of him from Solid Ground Christian Books.
November 12, 2009 at 4:09 am
virginiasusan
Denise,
I was able to find it online and read some of it. It looks good. Thanks for the tip!