TODAY’S submission is rather lengthy narrative, and thus I’ll be taking it in two parts.
THIS week I enjoyed an interesting Grace Gems devotional read titled: “The best pattern of fellowship with God” by CH Spurgeon. If you have not subscribed to the treasure trove of Grace Gems, you should:https://www.gracegems.org/
THE Spurgeon offering conveyed a storied observation of a missionary watching a Tribal Chieftain reading and then speaking upward, as he sat in quiet devotion. The missionary “asked him why it was that sometimes he read, and sometimes he looked up?” The chieftain replied, “I look down to the Book, and God speaks to me; and then I look up in prayer, and I speak to the Lord–and in this way we keep up a holy talk with each other.”
SPURGEON went on to comment saying, “I set this picture before you, as being the best pattern of fellowship with God–the heart hearkening to the voice of God, and then replying in prayer and praise.”
A “heart hearkening to the voice of God, and then replying in prayer and praise.“
REFLECTING upon this stirred-up many a thought, especially this past year and a half as a particularly difficult time for me, and my heart hearkening to the voice of God in prayer, in dealing as I am with a few physical challenges. The morning I read this particular Grace Gems offering followed “another” restless night of sleep deficiency – eventually arising in the early morning discouraged, defeated, and weary.
Desirable Difficulties
IT was around May of 2015, after reading Malcom Gladwell’s book, David and Goliath that I created a folder on my computer entitled, “Desirable Difficulties.” This is a phrase coined by Mr. Gladwell to describe what I often see and express as “Problems being nothing more than opportunities in disguise.” Thus, I started the process of collecting and saving in that “Desirable Difficulties” Folder specific musings, mediations, and devotional excerpts on the topics of suffering, adversities and afflictions that I unearthed through the course of my daily readings. My intent in doing this exercise resides in the desire and hope that one day I will organize and compile my collection of related articles on suffering and adversity into a serial musing and posting for Captive Thoughts.
MANY of you receiving this are aware of my recent onset of severe tinnitus, and all that has arrived along with it — sigh. Not wanting to let this opportunity pass, I have started a Word doc., tilted “Blessed Afflictions” that may prove a viable preface and introduction to my intended “Desirable Difficulties” musing digest. My desire for this endeavor was increased even more after yet another restless night, awakening in the morning to the sound and fury of another tinnitus spike. Frustrated, weary and tired, I made my way to my desk for my morning prayer and devotions, taking note of a growing stack of hand written notes randomly attached to my prayer list, and looking through them I found this quote:
“Disappointments accepted with praise always seem to turn into extra-radiant blessings.” – Hannah Hurnard, “Hinds Feet on High Places.”
I’M not sure when I gleaned that quote from my reading of Hannah Hurnard’s book “Hinds Feet on High Places.” …. But it sure spoke to me and convicted me in my complaining – feeling sorry for myself – pity party moment I was currently stewing in.
THEN, to add insult to injury came this excerpt from my reading of None But The Hungry Heart: 3-22. Deepened Channels:
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9).
We want fellowship with the Lord Jesus in His peace and joy, and naturally fear and seek to avoid suffering. However, it is in the fellowship of His sufferings [emphasis mine] that we partake of His peace and joy.
ALL this brought upon me another Selah moment – a deep sigh of reflection. I’ve a feeling that what I’ve just transcribed above may in fact be the introduction or lead-in piece for my “Desirable Difficulties” Digest, if I ever get to it within the horizon of my remaining allotted days on earth.
WELL, with that, I’m going to stop here and pick things up at this point for next time, and include the complete reading of NBTHH 3-22 – Deepened Channels at that time. Until then, remember:
“God had one Son without sin; but he has none without suffering” – JR Miller (from The Beauty of The Imperfect.)
In the inexorable blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa 30:15; Job 2:10; Jas. 1:2; Prov. 21:30
