Our God is in the rescue business. He delivers, he saves. And not only that. The very trials we face are the testings we need to become strong, eventually producing eternal results
Deep Waters
November 18, 2008
In the 1600's, Samuel Rutherford faced severe trials. As a Scottish pastor, he was forced to vacate his pulpit and was banished to Aberdeen for not conforming to the state church. Did that intimidate him? Hardly! God was clearly his refuge.
"I never knew before, that His love was in such a measure. If He leave me, He leaves me in pain, and sick of love; and yet my sickness is my life and health. I have a fire within me; I defy all the devils in hell, and all the prelates in Scotland, to cast water on it."
His letters to his flock became his sermons, and that wisdom reaches down into our time and situation with stunning clarity and perspective.
Here is some Godly advice to a woman parishoner named Lady Kenmure:
"When you are come to the other side of the water, and have set down your foot on the shore of glorious eternity, and look back again to the waters and to your wearisome journey, and shall see in that clear glass of endless glory nearer to the bottom of God's wisdom, you shall then be forced to say:
"If God had done otherwise with me than He hath done, I had never come to the enjoying of this crown of glory."
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him. James 1:12
IT IS WELL
Words by Horatio Spafford
Music by Philip P. Bliss
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.