Trials

Hope fills the afflicted soul – William Gurnall

Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation, that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath; it is called “the rejoicing of hope.” (Hebrews 3:6)

– William Gurnall –

Crisis always reveals character – Oswald Chambers

If you are not doing the thing that lies nearest, because God as engineered it, when the crisis comes instead of being revealed as fit, you will be revealed as unfit. Crisis always reveal character.

– Oswald Chambers –

What is Making Prayer Dead – David Brainerd

The idea that everything would happen exactly as it does regardless of whether we pray or not is a specter that haunts the minds of many who sincerely profess belief in God. It makes prayer psychologically impossible, replacing it with dead ritual at best

– David Brainerd –

Immune From Trouble – Oswald Chambers

There are disasters to be faced by the one who is in real fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. God has never promised to keep us immune from trouble; He says “I will be with him in trouble,” which is a very different thing.

– Oswald Chambers –

Let Us Trust God in the Dark – Ichabod Spencer

We are unable to penetrate God’s designs; and the things which seem to us most severe are often to be numbered among our most remarkable mercies. Let us take them submissively at his hand. If there is goodness anywhere, it is to be found in God. Let us trust him. Let us trust him in the dark.

– Ichabod Spencer –
from Practical Sermons

In The Dark, Listen – Oswald Chambers

When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you get in the light. … Now he gives you the gift of humiliation which brings the softness of heart that will always listen to God now.

– Oswald Chambers –

Guard Against Flattery – JC Ryle

It becomes all professing Christians to be much on their guard against flattery. We mistake greatly if we suppose that persecution and hard usage are the only weapons in Satan’s armory. That crafty foe has other engines for doing us mischief, which he knows well who to work. He knows how to poison souls by the world’s seductive kindness, when he cannot frighten them by the fiery dart and the sword. Let us not be ignorant of his devices. By peace he destroys many.

– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856

Obedience and Love – Oswald Chambers

Our Lord’s first obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of men: his obedience brought the outcome of the saving of men. If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity though men treat me as a doormat.

– Oswald Chambers –