November 28, 2016

Sorrows and Troubles

"Let us learn, first of all, that following Christ
will not prevent our having earthly sorrows and troubles.

Here are the chosen disciples of the Lord Jesus in great anxiety.
The faithful little flock, which believed when priests and scribes
and Pharisees were all alike unbelieving, is allowed 
by the Shepherd to be much disquieted.

The fear of death breaks in upon them like an armed man.
The deep waters seem likely to go over their souls.
Peter, James and John, the pillars of the church about 
to be planted in the world, are much distressed.
Perhaps they had not reckoned on all this.



Perhaps they expected that Christ's service would at any rate
lift them above the reach of earthly trials.  Perhaps they thought that He,
who could raise the dead and heal the sick and feed multitudes with a
few loaves and cast out devils with a word, He would never allow
His servants to be sufferers upon earth.

Perhaps they had supposed He would always grant them smooth journeys,
fine weather, an easy course and freedom from trouble and care.

If the disciples thought so, they were much mistaken.
The Lord Jesus taught them that a man may be one of His chosen servants,
and yet have to go through many an anxiety, and endure many a pain.

It is good to understand this clearly.  It is good to understand that Christ's
service never did secure a man from all the ills that flesh is heir to, and never will.

If you are a believer, you must reckon on having your share of sickness and pain,
of sorrow and tears, of losses and crosses, of deaths and bereavements,
of partings and separations, of vexations and disappointments,
so long as you are in the body.  Christ never undertakes
that you shall get to heaven without these."

Quoted from "Holiness" by J. C. Ryle pages 192-93

With Love,
Camille

**Image in this post courtesy of Calvin ~
Thank you my love. XO

4 comments:

Debbie Harris said...

Oh what an excellent post! These words from J.C.Ryle are so very true.
Our God looks after us in every situation of life, we can count on that.

Bless you~

Down On The Farm said...

This has touched my heart. Many times I have questioned our Lord, asking Him why ME? Why do I have to endure this? I'm your child. Why can't this cup pass over me? But that was never promised. The question is, why not me. Do I deserve more, or less, than others? No. I deserve nothing. I deserve death and condemnation. I am unworthy. And yet He loves me any way. He promised that He will never leave me or forsake me. He promised me eternity in heaven. But on this earth I will have troubles. Praise God He has overcome the world and one day He will make all things new. Until then I must trust. That is hard. So hard. And yet the peace that He sends when we do trust Him truly passes all understanding. Thank you so much dear sister for this precious truth. Hugs from me to you :)!

Laura said...

My dear sister in love,
Thank you for sharing this bit of truth, which our dear Lord uses to remind us to not despair, but to be always in His word, trusting Him, knowing He cares for us.Thanks for your encouragement for each one of us to be looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
You are a blessing,

Laura

Camille said...

Debbie ~ How true it is! How good and gracious our Great God is!! Hugs to you. :)

Robbin ~ Your words are true and honest. Thank you for sharing your heart here and for showing through your words that you are submitting to the Lord's dealings with you in the midst of suffering and sorrow. May He give you daily all you stand in need of and may you continue to know His loving hand upon you all. Hugs! :)

Laura ~ I love you and am thankful that we are family. XOXO

With love,
Camille