The Glory of Affliction

​Numbers 11:11
Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?
 
So, once again, God has used the scripture and the words of Charles H. Spurgeon to bless me.  Please take a moment to drink in the majesty of the truth of his words.
 
“Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord’s faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father’s countenance is hidden. A faith which can say, in the direst trouble. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts his servants to glorify himself, for he is greater glorified in the graces of his people, which are his own handiwork. When “Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope,” the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues. We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which his vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and sorrow of earth? Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified? There are many other comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation, let us muse upon it all day long.”
 
            I write this as I sit receiving an infusion for stage 4 cancer. And yet, I am blessed. My Savior makes no mistakes, takes no wrong turns, and errs not. While I pray many times each day for complete physical healing for myself and many others by name that I know are dealing with similar circumstances, yet I know He does all things well. He is not unaware of my circumstances yea He is the ultimate cause of all things. He is never surprised.
            The things the Lord has taught me already, even though we are only at the start of this journey, are almost overwhelming. I have had times, lying in bed in the middle of the night, just listening and talking to God; often with tears of contrition or gratefulness. Oh how He has deepened my walk with Him!
            And so we continue, unsteadily at times, uncertain of the future but infinitely certain of the loving heart of the One who brings each new day. I will praise Him with my whole heart with every beat He allows me to experience!