The Streams On Earth I’ve Tasted,
More Deep I’ll Drink Above………

Dear Brother,
I hate to sound like I’m complaining and I am really not. But the facts are–
After all the heart stints and much medication, I’m left weaker than I have ever known and more unstable than I have ever been. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining, I’m not. Just before all this hit, I asked God to take me deeper into His intimacies and reveal more of His person to me. In whatever manner He chooses to do this, I have no complaints. He is helping me to empty more of self. A blessed way indeed, and by whatever means He deems necessary. It is not an easy way, but His way. I have no complaints, but just to say, “Bless His Holy Name”.

From 10-7-14 Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Morning

“Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?” Numbers 11:11

“Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Painted gold is afraid of fire, but true 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 true faith holds to 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 greatly 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 the 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, so let us muse upon it all day long.”

So good, and needed in the present hour!

Our God is precious and is Lord indeed. One day our faith will be turned to sight and we shall see Him as He is.

In these days, I am trying to hear His voice. He speaks to me through His Word and by His Spirit. “Bless The Lord Oh my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.”

Struggling with this perishing flesh. It’s a difficult way to go from strength and health to weakness and infirmity. But it’s the way of man, and I am so thankful that our God has promised the unspeakable joy of ultimately coming into His presence. And to consider at what cost to our Savior this has been accomplished. Surely, “God commended His love toward us….”

Waiting on the Lord is sometimes not easy but is always profitable.

Still laboring under the aftermath of recent physical distresses. God knows and is merciful. “Bless the Lord Oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.”

Always amazing is the Word of God. It’s the only thing in all our experience that never changes. Always perfect in every realm. The only thing on the planet that gives life. I’m far too unskilled to address something of such magnitude. But, “the dogs get the crumbs”, and how I rejoice above measure in this precious and glorious truth. In His mercy, “I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

At first, it is sad when you become old and feeble; less outward service to the Lord. Out of the flow of His things more, somewhat assigned to the sidelines of the things of God.
Well, none of this is altogether true. Our God is not dependent on man’s strength or youth. He is never limited by my feebleness. I read that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. He is very capable of using an aged, weak, trembling, old man or woman as He pleases. That sure brings all the glory to Him.
I’m certainly not despising a young man’s strength, nor the wise man’s wisdom, but all things are useable to the God of all power and perfect wisdom. I do regret that I did not always serve God in the days of my strength and youth. But He knows all about that. His mercy and long suffering are most surely my strength. I know I cannot serve God with the power and strength of so many I know today but it’s surely not because I don’t want to. I guess what I’m saying is I’m not sad because I have become aged, infirmed, and not much use to God now. But He can make whatever use of me that He deems wise. My weakness in no way limits God. Jacob worshipped, leaning on his staff.
The lordship of Christ has never been more precious to me than in these days and my apparent service to Him less. But I rest in peace, that He is never surprised at anything. I’m content and I rest in the precious lordship of Christ, my blessed Redeemer. My sufficiency is totally vested in Him. Oh brother, to be a Christian is unbelievable! I praise His dear Name.

— Bob Woodruff