Morning By Morning #281

He asked the LORD, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant?”

Numbers 11:11

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith, and if our faith has any value it will stand the test. Thin gold leaf fears the fire, but gold nuggets easily withstand it; and imitation gems of paste dread to be tested by diamonds, but genuine jewels never fear the test. Poor faith only trusts God when friends are faithful, the body is healthy, and business is profitable; but true faith continues to trust in the Lord’s faithfulness when friends are gone, the body is sick, emotions are depressed, and the light of our Father’s countenance is hidden. True, heaven-born faith is faith that can say, even amid the most severe trouble, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15).

The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in the gifts of His people, which are all actually His own handiwork. When “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:3–4), the Lord is honored by these growing virtues.

We would never know the music of a harp if the strings were left untouched, enjoy the juice of grapes if they were not trodden in a winepress, discover the sweet scent of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten, nor feel the warmth of a fire if the logs were not burned. The wisdom and power of the great Artisan are discovered due to the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. And our present afflictions also tend to heighten our future joy just as a painting must have various levels of darker shades to reveal the beauty of the light.

Could we expect to be so supremely blessed in heaven if we had never known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Isn’t peace much sweeter after conflict and rest much more welcome after hard work? Won’t the remembrance of past suffering enhance the happiness of the glorified?

There are many additional answers of comfort to the question: “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant?” Why not consider them all day long today?

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Many people have difficulty believing the Lord sends trouble into the lives of His children. Yet our text today, as well as many others, suggests otherwise. For example, Isaiah wrote: “The Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction” (Isa. 30:20). However, as we read the passage in its context, it reveals God’s graceful and loving purpose in sending these trials.

The LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! 0 people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:18 – 21

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life” (Ps. 138:7).