.
The people of God should not despair even though their condition seems to be irrecoverable. It seems so to you, but it is not so to God. The things that are impossible to men are not impossible to God. What though God smite us all down, if He does good to our souls and teaches us out of His law? What though we lie under these folk’s feet for a time? He will make our worst condition best. What though we lack public ordinances for a while, if He prove a little sanctuary to us? What though He shatters all outward worldly helps (showing their emptiness) since He can help either by ordinary or extraordinary means? Let us never be discouraged and lose heart. If the heart is gone, all is gone.
.
William Guthrie, Covenanter
Quoted in Surviving a Time of Moral Implosion
.
Sometimes this life seems hard to bear, and the cross exceedingly heavy and painful, but thoughts like this comfort me and give me strength to go on. Things have indeed been sorrowful and hard lately, but still my joy and faith in Him lets me know He will not forsake me no matter what each day brings. It’s all good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scarlett, hopefully I won’t be glib in replying to your heartfelt comment. Suffering from personal trials and the consequences of sin in ourselves and others, and witnessing and enduring the problems in the Church, is overwhelming. But the Lord is truly with us. These verses came to mind,
2 Corinthians 4
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Love to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Agreed, my beloved sister. I would like to continue on your stream of thought. When adversity occurs, we must solace ourselves with the Book of Books. There is no understanding outside of it. We must search ourselves, and pray the Holy Spirit reveals any hidden sin. If He chastens us, it is only because He loves us with such great love.
Hebrews 12:4-6
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great quote, reminds me of Job, ” Though he slay me yet will I trust him…when he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold…blessed be the name of the Lord”. As a Scottish Covenanter Guthrie belonged to that illustrious group who suffered the most severe deprivation on account of their faith, yet their light shone in the midst of darkness.
LikeLiked by 1 person