Day: December 24, 2011

Victorious Suffering

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A.B. Simpson 90 x115by A.B. Simpson

Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord—1 Chronicles 26:27

Physical force is stored in the inner parts of the earth, in the coal mines and the oil deposits. So spiritual force is stored in the depths of our being, through the very pressures we cannot understand. Some day we will find that the deliverances we have won from these trials were preparing us to become true "Great Hearts" in life’s Pilgrim’s Progress, enabling us to lead our fellow pilgrims triumphantly through trial to the City of the King.

But let us never forget that the means of helping other people must be through victorious suffering. Whining and murmuring never do anybody any good. Paul did not carry a cemetery with him but a chorus choir of victorious praise. The harder the trial, the more he trusted and rejoiced, shouting from the very altar of sacrifice, Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all (Philippians 2:17).

Lord, help me this day to draw strength from all that comes to me.

by A.B. Simpson

A Striking Example of Faith

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J.C. Ryle 90x115by J.C. Ryle

The conduct of the wise men is a striking example of faith. They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him – but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving – but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary’s knee, and worshiped Him as a king. This was the crowning point of their faith. They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them. They saw no signs of divinity and greatness to overawe them. They saw nothing but a new-born infant, helpless and weak, and needing a mother’s care like any one of ourselves. And yet when they saw that infant, they believed that they saw the divine Savior of the world. ‘They fell down and worshiped Him.’

We read of no greater faith than this in the whole volume of the Bible. It is a faith that deserves to be placed side by side with that of the penitent thief. The thief saw one dying the death of a criminal, and yet prayed to Him and ‘called Him Lord.’ The wise men saw a new-born babe on the lap of a poor woman, and yet worshiped Him and confessed that He was Christ. Blessed indeed are those that can believe in this fashion!

by J.C. Ryle