Good morning,
Christ and a crust!
Charles Spurgeon, “Certain Singular Subjects”
(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
Psalm 73:2-3, “But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone! For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.“
It will always be a mystery as long as the world stands, that the wicked often flourish, while the righteous often suffer. Holy and wise men have been perplexed and troubled, by the methods of divine providence.
Do you envy the prosperity of wicked men? For my part, I am glad for their present success, for it is all they ever will have! Poor souls, let them have as much of it as they may here on earth; for they will have nothing but Hell hereafter.
If the ungodly could gain all worlds, what use would they be to them when they come to die? Their own souls eternally lost–what have they gained after all? Let the worldlings have the treasures of this present evil world, who have nothing else.
“So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.” Psalm 73:16-17
Many professors would prefer that the Scripture said, “As many as I love, I caress and pamper!” But the Lord’s Word in Revelation 3:19 says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.”
Hebrews 12:6 says, “Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” That is a very stern phrase: “He scourges every son whom He receives.” Those whom God loves best, He often allots the hardest conditions.
God often brings His redeemed people into trial, to preserve them from the world and its evil influences, from themselves and their natural pride, from Satan and his evil devices. By sorrow and adversity, the children of God are driven to their knees, and brought near to their loving Father. Sanctified afflictions, are spiritual blessings. The salt and bitterness of sorrow, often preserves men from the gall and bitterness of sin.
We are often ignorant, rebellious, and willful–until the Lord trains us. “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep Your Word.” The Lord teaches us on the black-board of adversity, and He often gives us a rap on our knuckles. It is astonishing what we learn, when God brings us into the refining fire!
I think that I have hardly learned anything worth learning, except in the furnace of affliction. I fear that I have learned little, beyond that which has been whipped into me. Though I am not more fond of God’s rod of affliction than you are, I confess that such sweet fruit grows on the bitter tree of trial, that I would fear to be long without it. Far rather would I weep with the Lord’s chosen, than laugh with the reprobate.
If Jesus is ours, then the fleeting vanities of this world are of small importance. Give me Jesus, and I ask for nothing else! I leave all other things with the great Disposer of events. Christ and a crust; the promise and a burlap coat; grace and the poor-house! Cannot a saint be content with these?
God often thrusts His people into adversity, that He may improve them, arouse them, instruct them, and ennoble them. May the fire and the file, the crucible and the flame–remove your dross and rust, and make you pure and holy.
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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