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This morning my mind has been contemplating on the words of Job – “Though He slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15).

To be honest, I’m not really sure why I have been thinking on these words this morning, everything in life seems pretty great!  Church is good – children’s ministry is moving, children’s church started last week, men are being engaged in Bible studies, there is great unity among the staff, people’s lives are being changed, we are preparing for baptisms…the list is quite endless!  Family is good – we are getting ready to welcome a healthy baby girl into the world in a few weeks, Isaiah is being the typical three year old (yet at the same time, it is a fantastic stage of life as we watch him discover things and become passionate about activities), Mariona is well into her senior year…again, the blessings are endless.  Really, things are quite peaceful around the Guffey home these days (as I am preparing to knock on wood!!!!!).

But this morning, in my study time with the Lord, I was really thinking about all that was good in life and thanking God for the blessings…when it suddenly hit me – “What if they were gone?”  I have been going through a personal revival, as it were, and hoping that it begins to spread with others.  But suddenly…the mind wondered…the imagination stirred…”What if they were gone?”  If all of God’s blessings were gone, would I still be experiencing revival?  What would my faith look like in the midst of trial? 

I have always found it so peculiar that Job experienced such calamity.  Chapter 1 goes to great lengths to tell us of the righteousness of Job, despite his friends’ lofty words, Job’s calamity was not brought on by sin.  Job was a righteous man in revival, as he offered sacrifices on behalf of his family, perhaps hoping they would experience his revival.  Was Job singled out to suffer because of his righteousness?  Was he singled out to suffer for our benefit, as we would read his story so many years later?

It reminded me of the story of Annie Johnston Flint.  If you don’t know her, I would highly recommend you read her story online.  She was perhaps one of the greatest hymnist the world has ever seen.  In her life, Annie was orphaned twice, strickened with cancer, arthritis, blindness, incontinence, and more.  Yet, in this pitiable condition, she would pen the following words:

  1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
    He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
    To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
    To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
  2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
    When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
    When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
    Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
  3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
    Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
    Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
    The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
  4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
    His power no boundary known unto men;
    For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
    He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

 I wish I could write beautiful words like that…but I’m not sure that I want the pain that shaped the words so infinitely. 

I’ll close my thoughts this morning with the words of Charles Spurgeon, “Since you trusted in the Lord there have been times when you felt that you did not receive the expected support and comfort.  And yet it came.  Will you now leave Him and look elsewhere?  God Forbid!  At the very worst, our gospel is better than the world at its best.  I would rather drink the dregs of Christ’s wine vat, when the berries are sour, than swallow the sweetest wine of the vintage of unbelief.  Believe the gospel, whether or not it yields iimmediate comfort.  We would sooner be God’s dogs than the devil’s darlings.”

I hope this encourages someone today!

“The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numberse 6:26)

Held By Grace,

Pastor Chris