No trial comes sooner, or falls heavier, or lasts longer!

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(Letters of John Newton)

"Affliction does not come from the dust--nor does trouble spring from the ground." Job 5:6

"I was silent; I would not open my mouth--for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9

I trust that your sickness will work for good--because the Lord has sent it. We are sure that He does not afflict His children without a need be. He does all things well.

He weighs the mountains in the scales, and the hills in a balance. He likewise weighs, measures, and proportions our trials to our strength and our malady--with greater accuracy than the most skillful earthly physician can prescribe his medicines.

No trial comes sooner, or falls heavier, or lasts longer--than the necessity of the case requires. He knows our frame, and remembers that we are but dust. He will lay no more upon us than He will enable us to bear.

Like as a father pities his children--so the Lord pities His redeemed children. His love is perfect, and He will not withhold whatever He sees is necessary to promote our best welfare--however painful and displeasing it may be to the flesh. Earthly parents often, through a weak and mistaken tenderness--spare their children, to their hurt. But as God supplies His children with food--so they must take His medicines, however distasteful, when He sees they would not be so well without them.

My good friend, be willing that the Lord should carry on His work in His own way--and do not prescribe to Him how He shall deal with you.

All shall work together for good.

Everything is needful--that He sends.

Nothing can be needful--that He withholds.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your Word." Psalm 119:67

"It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn Your decrees." Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

March 2, 2018

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth. (Proverbs 3:12)

Because of His unconditional and passionate love for His children, God disciples and instructs His children in His wisdom. Indeed, it is by His unchanging and constant adoration that we are made a new creation. By the gift of God's son and a repentant heart, the mercies of Christ enfold us and bring us to God's side. Just as a father adores his son, so our Heavenly Father delights in us!

Daily Thoughts March 1st, 2018

Jeremiah 14:22  Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

Unto you who believe--He is precious!

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("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Unto you who believe--He is precious!" 1 Peter 2:7

It is to unbelievers only, that Christ is "as a root out of a dry ground"--having no form nor loveliness.

To those who know Him, and put their trust in Him--He is the chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely! To those who believe, He is precious . . .

  in all the offices He sustains,

  in all the relations He bears,

  as their atoning Sacrifice,

  as the Lord their righteousness,

  as the source of their spiritual life,

  as their Teacher,

  as their Example,

  and as their Guide.

O my soul, is Jesus precious to you?

Do you realize something of His worth?

Is He your Refuge, your Hiding-place?

Are you sheltered in Him?

Is He your Shepherd, your Guardian, your Friend?

Do you feel that, whatever you are called to part with--you cannot part with Christ?

Do you feel that that He is your Savior, your Life, your All?

Oh, then cleave to Him, serve Him earnestly, and live to His glory!

And know to your comfort, that as unworthy and sinful as you are--you are precious to Him. He bought you with His precious blood, He claims you as His own, and He will treasure you among His jewels when He comes to gather them up!

"Yes, Christ is precious to my soul,

 My transport and my trust;

 Jewels to Him are gaudy toys,

 And gold is sordid dust!"

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

March 1, 2018

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)

Never fear while trial and hardship assail you, for there is a strength on your side. Neither lose courage nor hope as the curse upon life draws its noose tighter upon you, for there is a river of life that overflows on your account. Fear not. Worry not. Fret not. For the Lord knows all those who are His. He will keep His children from the force of His wrath and ever will He protect them from their enemy, Satan. He will be faithful to tend their needs and salve their wounds. We who believe and have departed the way of iniquity are secured in the mercy, peace, and fatherly love that abounds in His family.