Christ is never nearer us in power to uphold us than when He seems most to hide His presence from us.
Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2011), 64.
Tag Archives: Trials
One Reason Why God Allows Trials
God suffers questions oftentimes to arise for trial of our love and exercise of our abilities. Nothing is so certain as that which is certain after doubts. Shaking settles and roots.
Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2011), 28.
The Christmas Psalms
The Reasonableness of Faith
If it was reasonable for Job to trust the God whose wisdom and power have been revealed in creation, how much more reasonable is it for us to trust the God whose love and justice have been revealed in the cross? The reasonableness of trust lies in the known trustworthiness of its object. And no one is more trustworthy than the God of the Cross. The Cross assures us that there is no possibility of a miscarriage of justice or of the defeat of love either now or on the last day. “He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8.32).
John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 320.
Trials Interpretted by Scripture
The Cross Does Not Solve the Problem of Suffering
We have to learn to climb the hill called Calvary, and from that vantage point survey all life’s tragedy. The cross does not solve the problem of suffering, but it applies the essential perspective from which to look at it. Since God has demonstrated His holy love and loving justice in a historical event (the cross), no other historical event (whether personal or global) can override or disprove it. This must really be why the scroll (the book of history and destiny) is now in the hands of the slain Lamb, and why only He is worthy to break it seals, reveal its contents and control the flow of nature.
John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 320.
The Sculpture Which Is Your Life
God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives.
HT: Challies.com
Suffering Is Part of God’s Will
Suffering is the will of God. It is his chief instrument for fashioning His creatures according to His own plan. While by our work we ought to be seeking to make a bit of the world such as He would have it to be, by our suffering He is seeking to make such as He would have us to be. He blocks up our pathway by it on this side and on that, in order that we may be kept in the path which He has appointed. He prunes our desires and ambitions; He humbles and makes us meek and acquiescent. By our work we help to make a well-ordered world, but by our suffering He makes a sanctified man; and in His eyes this is by far the greater triumph.
James Stalker, The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1966), 153.
The Reason Why Christ Suffered
Christ did not suffer so you wouldn’t suffer. He suffered so when you suffer you will become like Him.
HT: Challies.com
Learning from God
We often learn more of God under the rod that strikes us than under the staff that comforts us.
HT: @sermonindex
Our Light Affliction
Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night’s welcome home to Heaven.
HT: @challies
Life Is Worship 