As I was perusing the bookshelves in the living room looking for inspiration I came across a book I've read. My mom actually gave this to my husband years ago and while we enjoyed it right off the bat, it's been sitting on the shelf for a while, sadly collecting dust. A friend shelved for a season as we've discovered new friends, adding to the family of well-loved reads. We've moved it to two different countries though because we knew it was important and might be called upon once again.
The book: Morning & Evening Daily Readings by C.H. Spurgeon.
The date: Evening reading of March 8th
Here is my encouragement -
'She called his name Ben-oni (son of sorrow), but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand)' Genesis 35:18
To ever matter there is a bright as well as a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the sorrow of her own travail and death; Jacob, though weeping the mother's loss, could see the mercy of the child's birth. It is well for us if, while the flesh mourns over trials, our faith triumphs in divine faithfulness. Samson's lion yielded honey, and so will our adversities, if rightly considered. The stormy sea feeds multitudes with its fishes; the wild wood blooms with beauteous flowerets; the stormy wind sweeps away the pestilence, and the biting frost loosens the soil. Dark clouds distill bright drops, and black earth grows gay flowers. A vein of good is to be found in every mine of evil. Sad hearts have peculiar skill in discovering the most advantageous point of view from which to gaze upon a trial; if there were only one slough in the world, they would soon be up to their necks in it, and if there were only one lion in the desert they would hear it roar. About us all there is a tinge of this wretched folly, and we are apt, at times, like Jacob, to cry, 'All these things are against me'. Faith's way of walking is to cast all care upon the Lord, and then to anticipate good results from the worst calamities. Like Gideon's men, she does not fret over the broken pitcher, but rejoices that the lamp blazes forth ever more. Out of the rough oyster-shell of difficulty she extracts the rare pearl of honour, and from the deep ocean-caves of distress she uplifts the priceless coral of experience. When her flood of prosperity ebbs, she finds treasures hid in the sands; and when her sun of delight goes down, she turns her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. When death itself appears, faith points to the lights of resurrection beyond the grave, thus making our dying Ben-oni to be our living Benjamin.
To ever matter there is a bright as well as a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the sorrow of her own travail and death; Jacob, though weeping the mother's loss, could see the mercy of the child's birth. It is well for us if, while the flesh mourns over trials, our faith triumphs in divine faithfulness. Samson's lion yielded honey, and so will our adversities, if rightly considered. The stormy sea feeds multitudes with its fishes; the wild wood blooms with beauteous flowerets; the stormy wind sweeps away the pestilence, and the biting frost loosens the soil. Dark clouds distill bright drops, and black earth grows gay flowers. A vein of good is to be found in every mine of evil. Sad hearts have peculiar skill in discovering the most advantageous point of view from which to gaze upon a trial; if there were only one slough in the world, they would soon be up to their necks in it, and if there were only one lion in the desert they would hear it roar. About us all there is a tinge of this wretched folly, and we are apt, at times, like Jacob, to cry, 'All these things are against me'. Faith's way of walking is to cast all care upon the Lord, and then to anticipate good results from the worst calamities. Like Gideon's men, she does not fret over the broken pitcher, but rejoices that the lamp blazes forth ever more. Out of the rough oyster-shell of difficulty she extracts the rare pearl of honour, and from the deep ocean-caves of distress she uplifts the priceless coral of experience. When her flood of prosperity ebbs, she finds treasures hid in the sands; and when her sun of delight goes down, she turns her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. When death itself appears, faith points to the lights of resurrection beyond the grave, thus making our dying Ben-oni to be our living Benjamin.
Wow - I needed to read this. I needed to hear this. I'm still absorbing it. I want this to be my way of walking. I've always said that EVERTHING can be preparation for something...if I let it. Key phrase, that is. I want to rightly consider all my adversities that they might yield honey.
I hope find yourself encouraged.
Que Dios les bendiga mis hermanos....
Faith-who is turning her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. :)
I hope find yourself encouraged.
Que Dios les bendiga mis hermanos....
Faith-who is turning her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. :)
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