Weekend Contemplation #12
Monday: The devotion from Pastor Courson : C. H. Spurgeon said that affliction is the tuner of the harp and the sanctifier of the son. I like that. How did David have such intimacy with the Lord, such passion for the Lord, such understanding of the Lord that He could write the psalms he wrote? His passion, wisdom, and understanding came from places like Ziph and Keilah – where people were chasing him down, where he was betrayed by people he had helped, where he would feel forsaken and alone – where God could deal with him.
Wednesday: I should seek the Lord to open my eyes to His hand in every aspect of my life. What I think is bad, would have been worse were it not for God’s love. No trial or temptation is brought my way, except what I can handle; and if I feel that anything is too difficult, then my best option is to rejoice, because it shows the strength that God has placed in me. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Phil 4:13).
Thursday: I am called to be thankful at all times. I should not spend my time worrying about who is doing better than I am, faster than I am, with less effort than I am. My reward seems distant only because I am in this tent and do not yet have the sense of time that God, Who is outside time, does. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine (Prov 17:22). Although the world may seem to be successful and happy in their success, I can have JOY even if I have to live alone under a bridge with nothing but Jesus. As the Lord lifts me from grace to grace (John 1), from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18), and as the world’s clock ticks with the end so close at hand, I know that it is going to get more difficult. But what does Jesus say about this? He says: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)
Friday: Wise words from Spurgeon: He is risen, I am risen in him, why then should I cleave unto the dust? From lower loves, desires, pursuits, and aspirations, I would rise towards him. He calls me by the sweet title of “My love,” and counts me fair; this is a good argument for my rising. If he has thus exalted me, and thinks me thus comely, how can I linger in the tents of Kedar and find congenial associates among the sons of men? He bids me “Come away.” Further and further from everything selfish, grovelling, worldly, sinful, he calls me; yea, from the outwardly religious world which knows him not, and has no sympathy with the mystery of the higher life, he calls me. “Come away” has no harsh sound in it to my ear, for what is there to hold me in this wilderness of vanity and sin? O my Lord, would that I could come away, but I am taken among the thorns, and cannot escape from them as I would. I would, if it were possible, have neither eyes, nor ears, nor heart for sin. Thou callest me to thyself by saying “Come away,” and this is a melodious call indeed. To come to thee is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labour, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes. But Lord, how can a stone rise, how can a lump of clay come away from the horrible pit? O raise me, draw me. Thy grace can do it. Send forth thy Holy Spirit to kindle sacred flames of love in my heart, and I will continue to rise until I leave life and time behind me, and indeed come away. My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away (Song of Solomon 2:10).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray today that You would teach me to lean on You at all times, and to earnestly covet the gifts of the Spirit, while producing the fruit of the Spirit in my life. You said a fig tree cannot bear olives, and You also said that things in the world would be difficult. For Your children to bear fruit, we must remain in You. Help us to “rise up,” dear Lord. Help us to “come away” and hide in You; in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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