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Trials and testing can rob us of joy, and can turn us from contentment, and cause us to be disgruntled. Trust in God's sovereignty is key to spiritual health.
Recent Entries
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Samuel Rutherford and Gratitude
September 27, 2008
In spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility, and their years in terror.
Psalm 78:32-33
Not acknowledging God brings disastrous results. Thanksgiving is a vehicle God has given us that guards us from having our minds darkened. If your heart doesn’t respond to God with gratitude, then it follows that your mind will be darkened. A key ally with you in the fight of faith is gratitude. It keeps your heart open to God, and keeps you attentive to his mercies.
Alexander Whyte, the Scottish pastor from the late 1800's, gives us some insight on Lady Kenmure. She was one of the Campbells of Argyll in Scotland back in the 17th Century, a family distinguished for the depth of their piety, their public spirit, and their love for the Presbyterian polity; and Lady Jane was one of the most richly-gifted members of that richly-gifted house.
But, with all that, Lady Jane Campbell had her own crosses to carry. She had the sore cross of bad health to carry all her days. Then she had the sad misfortune to make a very bad marriage in the morning of her days; and, partly as the result of all that, and partly because of her peculiar mental constitution, her whole life was drenched with a deep melancholy.
All these evils and misfortunes, however, were made to work together for good to her through the special grace of God, and through the wise and wistful care of her life-long friend and minister and correspondent, Samuel Rutherford.
On September 14th, 1664, Rutherford wrote to Lady Kenmure on the death of her husband
"Consider, that of all the crosses spoken of in our Lord's Word, this one gives you a special right to make God your Husband (which was not so yours while your husband was alive). Therefore try to read God's mercy out of this visitation; however I must say from the depths of my own suffering that the mourning for the husband of your youth is, as God' says Himself, the heaviest worldly sorrow (Joel 1:8)
But though this be the heaviest burden that ever lay upon your back, yet you know that if we will wait upon Him who hides His face for a while, it lies upon God's honor and truth to be a Husband to the widow. See and consider then what you have lost, in proportion to eternity.
Madam, let me implore you, in the bowels of Christ Jesus, and by the comforts of His Spirit, and because you know that in the future you will appear before him: let God, and men, and angels now see what is in you. The Lord has pierced the vessel; it will be known whether there be in it wine or water.
Let your faith and patience be seen, that it may be known your only beloved first and last has been Christ. Therefore, now cast your whole love upon Jesus Christ; He alone is a suitable object for your love and all the affections of your soul. God has dried up one channel of your love by the removal of your husband.
Let now that river run upon Christ. I dare say that God's hammering of you from your youth is only to make you a fair carved stone in the high upper temple of the New Jerusalem. Your Lord never thought this world's worthless, imitation glory a gift worthy of you; and therefore would not bestow it on you, because he is offering you a better portion.
Let the small change go; the great inheritance is yours. You are a child of the house, and joy is laid up for you; it is long in coming, but none the worse for that. I am now expecting to see, and that with joy and comfort, that which I hoped of you: that you have laid such strength upon the Holy One of Israel, that you defy troubles, and that your soul is a castle that may be besieged, but cannot be taken.
Psalm 78:32-33
Not acknowledging God brings disastrous results. Thanksgiving is a vehicle God has given us that guards us from having our minds darkened. If your heart doesn’t respond to God with gratitude, then it follows that your mind will be darkened. A key ally with you in the fight of faith is gratitude. It keeps your heart open to God, and keeps you attentive to his mercies.
Alexander Whyte, the Scottish pastor from the late 1800's, gives us some insight on Lady Kenmure. She was one of the Campbells of Argyll in Scotland back in the 17th Century, a family distinguished for the depth of their piety, their public spirit, and their love for the Presbyterian polity; and Lady Jane was one of the most richly-gifted members of that richly-gifted house.
But, with all that, Lady Jane Campbell had her own crosses to carry. She had the sore cross of bad health to carry all her days. Then she had the sad misfortune to make a very bad marriage in the morning of her days; and, partly as the result of all that, and partly because of her peculiar mental constitution, her whole life was drenched with a deep melancholy.
All these evils and misfortunes, however, were made to work together for good to her through the special grace of God, and through the wise and wistful care of her life-long friend and minister and correspondent, Samuel Rutherford.
On September 14th, 1664, Rutherford wrote to Lady Kenmure on the death of her husband
"Consider, that of all the crosses spoken of in our Lord's Word, this one gives you a special right to make God your Husband (which was not so yours while your husband was alive). Therefore try to read God's mercy out of this visitation; however I must say from the depths of my own suffering that the mourning for the husband of your youth is, as God' says Himself, the heaviest worldly sorrow (Joel 1:8)
But though this be the heaviest burden that ever lay upon your back, yet you know that if we will wait upon Him who hides His face for a while, it lies upon God's honor and truth to be a Husband to the widow. See and consider then what you have lost, in proportion to eternity.
Madam, let me implore you, in the bowels of Christ Jesus, and by the comforts of His Spirit, and because you know that in the future you will appear before him: let God, and men, and angels now see what is in you. The Lord has pierced the vessel; it will be known whether there be in it wine or water.
Let your faith and patience be seen, that it may be known your only beloved first and last has been Christ. Therefore, now cast your whole love upon Jesus Christ; He alone is a suitable object for your love and all the affections of your soul. God has dried up one channel of your love by the removal of your husband.
Let now that river run upon Christ. I dare say that God's hammering of you from your youth is only to make you a fair carved stone in the high upper temple of the New Jerusalem. Your Lord never thought this world's worthless, imitation glory a gift worthy of you; and therefore would not bestow it on you, because he is offering you a better portion.
Let the small change go; the great inheritance is yours. You are a child of the house, and joy is laid up for you; it is long in coming, but none the worse for that. I am now expecting to see, and that with joy and comfort, that which I hoped of you: that you have laid such strength upon the Holy One of Israel, that you defy troubles, and that your soul is a castle that may be besieged, but cannot be taken.
