i've been reading this marvelous little book for the past week and it has been quite encouraging. a couple of quotes:
"I have what I have from the love of God, and I have it sanctified to me by God, and I have it free of cost from God by the purchase of the blood of Jesus Christ, and I have it as a forerunner of those eternal mercies that are reserved for me; and in this my soul rejoices." (pg. 59-60)
"The truth is that the afflictions of God's people come from the same eternal love that Jesus Christ came from...all God's ways are mercy and truth, to those that fear him and love him (Psalm 25.10). The ways of God, the ways of affliction, as well as the ways of prosperity, are mercy and love to him. Grace gives man an eye, a piercing eye to pierce into the counsel of God, those eternal counsels of God for good to him, even in his afflictions; he can see the love of God in every affliction as well as in prosperity. Now this is a mystery to a carnal heart. They can see no such thing; perhaps they think God loves them when he prospers them and makes them rich, but they think he loves them not when he afflicts them. That is a mystery, but grace instructs men in that mystery, grace enables men to see love in the very frown of God's face, and so comes to receive contentment." (pg. 60)
i pray that i might learn to trust God in such a way and so to honor Him in my contentment.Labels: life (poetry in the ordinary), quotes, worship