DISCOVERING GOD'S GRACES

                                               
Cardinal in the winter  storm                                                                                               

Devotional from 'Streams in the desert' the emphasis are mine.

"Show me wherefore thou contendest with me" (Job 10:2).

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never have been discovered if it were not for the trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too oft like a glowworm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star--not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black folds in which God doth set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better.

It was but a little while ago that, on thy knees, thou wast saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith."

Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?--for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it. God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials.

God trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers and climb mountains, and walk many a weary mile with heavy knapsacks on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you? --C. H. Spurgeon

To be left unmolested by Satan is no evidence of blessing.

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What a blessing this is for me this morning! For a Believer, there are never any accidents in our lives, NEVER! We are not in this world for comfort or riches, we are here to grow into what God would have us be, and that is it. I had wondered if I had any faith anymore? I feared that maybe I had lost what little I thought I had of God's gift of faith. There have been many an article that could have destroyed all of my small faith in God, the bible and my Lord. But you know there is as much evidence in God, the bible and my Lord as there is not. I have chosen to see God in it all! It is the only explanation of this existance to me, it is the only one that truly made sense to me! I have had continuing disability haunt me, continuing pain and distress haunting me, but I praise God because of them, for they forced me to examine what it is I believed, these trials forced me to see the silver lining in it all, and I truly thank God that I still believe, and that His faith a gift to me is still intact and growing, PTL!
In His Hands!
Shalom

Not in the tumult of the rending storm,

Not in the earthquake or devouring flame;

But in the hush that could all fear transform,

The still, small whisper to the prophet came.

0 Soul, keep silence on the mount of God,

Though cares and needs throb around thee like a sea;

From supplications and desires unshod,

Be still, and hear what God shall say to thee.

All fellowship hath interludes of rest,

New strength maturing in each poise of power;

The sweetest Alleluias of the blest

Are silent, for the space of half an hour.

0 rest, in utter quietude of soul,

Abandon words, leave prayer and praise awhile;

Let thy whole being, hushed in His control,

Learn the full meaning of His voice and smile.

Not as an athlete wrestling for a crown,

Not taking Heaven by violence of will;

But with thy Father as a child sit down,

And know the bliss that follows His "Be Still!"

--Mary Rowles Jarvis