Suffering and Rest

Suffering and Rest

My Saviour! I can think of Thee,
And rest upon Thy Name,
Through changing scenes Thou leadest me
But Thou art still the same.
When I am feebler than a child,
Too faint to lift a cry,
Thy strength is with me all the while,
I know that Thou art nigh.

O precious Lord! I hear Thy voice,
In accents soft and sweet,
When wearied is my aching head,
And worn my willing feet.
I lay me down in peace and sleep,
In safety I abide,
My hand in Thine, Thou still dost keep,
Thou'rt watching by my side.

Lord Jesus! it is sweet to pause
And be alone with Thee,
To feel, shut out from all beside,
That Thou art all to me.
'Tis joy to know Thou wilt complete
The work Thou hast begun,
And Oh! how comforting and sweet
The rest when work is done.

by Hannah K. Burlingham

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 

To Be Like Jesus - A Poem

To Be Like Jesus

Is there no other way, O God,

Except through sorrow, pain and loss,

To stamp Christ’s likeness on my soul,

No other way except the cross?

And then a voice stills all my soul,

As stilled the waves of Galilee.

Can’st thou not bear the furnace,

If midst the flames I walk with thee?

I bore the cross, I know its weight;

I drank the cup I hold for thee.

Can’st thou not follow where I lead?

I’ll give thee strength, lean hard on Me!

Author unknown

Philippians 3:8-12 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Worth Repeating - A Short Thought on Depression

Due to some very hard sayings recently be John MacArthur regarding depression, I thought this post from 2019 would be a good one to repeat today. I have made some edits. When I first published it, if I remember correctly, I requested permission from Mr. Edwards to use his Facebook post, which I appreciated. 

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In around 2006 my dad had started through a time of really serious health problems which triggered a deep depression that lasted several years. His body was so covered with eczema that he literally looked like a burn victim. I cannot imagine the pain and itching he endured. This seemed like a topic that I wanted to address today instead of the usual celebrations of the day (Father's Day here in the U.S.) because my dad has a tender heart for those with these types of struggles. Maybe someone needs it.

Psalm 142:5-7 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

This is written by a pastor whose Facebook page I used to read sometimes. I appreciated his ministry on Facebook very much for awhile and found much there that was thought provoking and encouraging. This particular one is an important reminder that depression is not a sin. While I do believe in some instances it can be caused by devil possession, as in the case of King Saul in the Bible, or from sin, like King David in Psalm 51, there are many people who are suffering for other reasons. One is simply this - it is the cross they are given to carry because God intends to minister to others through them.
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I feel very strong about the post I'm about to make, and it's about DEPRESSION. Depression is the most disabling disease in all of North America, and second in the world.........and it's growing. A couple of overwhelming symptoms are: 1. Detachment - from family, friends, and everyone else. You can be in a crowd, and still feel alone. 2. Guilt- you feel no one really loves you, and no one cares, and the world would [a] better place if you were not in it. You feel like a burden to your family, and you feel like you're making their lives miserable!!! Remember, depression is a sickness. It's not being demon possessed or crazy, but a disease. If you handle it recklessly, or ARE HANDLED recklessly, it makes it worse. I know [because] I live it, and I'm GLAD!!!! I've been able to reach out to, and help people that, according to their own words, wouldn't be here today [otherwise]. God has allowed me to suffer from depression for a purpose, that's far bigger than myself. I've been able to show, and teach others that there is LIFE and HOPE , after and during depression. The fulfillment I've experienced, by being able to help others, is worth the criticism. Others don't get it.....and you know what......I hope they never have to learn the hard way!!!!! God bless you all!!! I love all y'all !!!

Craig Edwards 

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My thought:

Whenever I hear someone say that Christians shouldn't be depressed or have anxiety, that they shouldn't need any medication for it, and that all they need is the Bible, I feel sick. It scares me for them because I know how God chose to teach me the hard way, and it has been the hardest and longest lesson I probably ever had to learn. When I was young I had the idea that only people who "weren't right with God" had depression or things like that. It was definitely not something I learned from my dad. As long as I can remember he showed compassion and kindness towards people with depression and similar struggles. I, however, was very self-righteous about it. The Lord took me through some very hard times to show me the folly and vanity of my thinking. These times sometimes recur for me because it's a lifelong illness for me, as I now know.

Friend, please don't judge others in things you don't understand like this. If God decides to make you go through it in order to correct your puffed up thinking, you will suffer things you really don't want to suffer. I say that with deep personal conviction because He did it to me. I don't wish that lesson on anyone. I would much rather that Christians show compassion and kindness to one another, even in things hard to understand.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another...

If you are dealing with depression, PTSD, an anxiety disorder or anything similar, I really encourage you, as always, to get help. Ask God to lead you to people who will help you, not hinder you, in learning how to live through and beyond these difficult health problems. You need encouragement, not judgment. You very likely need a doctor. Remember Matthew 9:12, But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. There are many causes for both depression and anxiety and related conditions. With time and effort and the leading of the Lord, you will find ways to help yourself - and others, as Bro. Edwards talks about - because we don't live unto ourselves as Christians. God has a purpose for your suffering, something that He wants to do through you as you learn to carry this cross to His glory.

Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 

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Originally published here June 16, 2019.
Painting by Edmund Charles Tarbell.

So Many Hurting People

Sometimes it feels like every time we go to church meeting or answer the phone or look at a text message or read an email, there is some pain or suffering or burden. Whether it's the sorrow of seeing people we know and love walking away from the truth or someone we care about who is dealing with health or personal difficulties or tragedy. The adversary is very busy these days making conflict and trouble for anyone who is even trying at little to follow Jesus Christ.

Some days it's hard to keep lifting when we are so often in the midst of our own struggles. Yet this is the very thing that we should do in obedience to the Lord and because we are His disciples.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 

This song reminded me of why we need to keep helping one another and those who need redemption through Christ.

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The Voice of One Who Wept

Today I heard the voice of one who wept
In far off lands
Because of sin and misery,
And begged with outstretched hands
For one small lamp to light his dark.
Now fain I would have slept,
So - stopped my ears, but in my heart
That sobbing voice still wept.

And then I heard the voice of one who
Counted not the cost,
But left His ivory palaces to seek and
Save the lost.
He said, "The sound of one who weeps
Is coming up to Me.
Dost thou forget that last command
Which I gave unto Thee,
To preach my Word to all the world?"

O, bitter be our shame!
Still hopeless millions walk the earth
Who never heard His Name,
And still the world spends lavishly
In every crowded mart,
And still the voice of Him who wept
Is sobbing in my heart!

by Martha Snell Nicholson

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Through good report and evil, Lord,
Still guided by Thy faithful Word,
Our staff, our buckler and our sword,
We follow Thee.

In silence of the lonely night,
In the full glow of day's clear light,
Through life's strange windings, dark or bright,
We follow Thee.

Horatius Bonar

Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;

I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me;

He ever loves and cares for His own.

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior;

One who can help my burdens to bear;

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;

He all my cares and sorrows will share.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

I cannot bear my burdens alone;

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Elisha Hoffman

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Since Yesterday - A Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson

 

Since Yesterday

Along the golden streets

A stranger walks tonight

With wonder in his heart --

Faith blossomed into sight.

He walks and stops and stares,

And walks and stares again.

Vistas of loveliness

Beyond the dreams of men.

He who once was weak,

And often shackled to a bed,

Now climbs eternal hills

With light and easy tread.

He has escaped at last

The cruel clutch of pain;

His lips shall never taste

Her bitter cup again.

O never call him dead,

This buoyant one and free,

Whose daily portion is

Delight and ecstasy!

Now bows in speechless joy

Before the feet of Him

Whom, seeing not, he loved

While yet his sight was dim.

Along the golden streets

No stranger walks today,

But one who, long homesick,

Is home at last, to stay!

Martha Snell Nicholson

Philippians 1:23-24 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Evening Song - No, Not One

Isaiah 42:1-4 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 

Hebrews 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

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The Brightening Path of Pain - by Martha Snell Nicholson

The Brightening Path of Pain

by Martha Snell Nicholson
[lightly edited]

Everyone needs to work in order to remain normal, and it is such a comfort that none of us are too ill to know the joy of accomplishment, the opportunity to win crowns, sheaves to lay at the feet of the Lord of the harvest. Years ago I was reading the Bible to a little boy of nine who had recently given his heart to Christ. He had had no Christian upbringing and thus the truth of the Word of God was new to him. I found that he caught the marvel of it in a way that shamed me at times. I was explaining about the five kinds of rewards, and read to him the verse, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...” [2 Tim. 4:8]

His eyes grew bigger and bigger, and at last he fairly gasped, “Oh, are there going to be crowns too? I should think it would be enough just to save our souls!”

There is so much we who are the Lord’s can do. I have long had the habit of praying for those whose stories of sin and sorrow are spread all over the pages of our newspapers, even for the murderers awaiting execution. And, of course, I pray for all Christian work and workers everywhere.

Then there is that very quiet work of grace. All summer I have thrilled to a miracle in our back yard. We had a sapling fig tree, only knee high. We poured on the water, and it drank it in and spread its little branches to catch the sunshine. I took such pride in it and would stroke its straight strong trunk and limbs so unlike my twisted body. It grew so quietly, never a sound nor a stir, yet now it is six feet tall, and this fall gave us largess of gifts, great fat figs bursting with their own sweetness. So we, on quiet beds of pain, may drink in His Word, and open our hearts to His Holy Spirit until we too bear fruit.

It is such a blessing to know that God makes no mistakes, that this illness is not something that just happened to me. “Shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He hath no understanding?” [Is. 29:16]  No, the enduring is mine, to be sure, but the responsibility for it is entirely His, and what a difference that makes! Nothing can even touch the child of God without His permissive will. It is not necessary for me to know the reasons, for they are safe with our dear Lord, “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [Col. 2:2-3]

I am no wise theologian, but I have thought that surely God will be glad when this is all over and He will no longer have to watch His children suffer, when all tears will be wiped from our eyes, and a song put upon our lips. Until then cannot we “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” [2 Tim. 2:3] and spare Him the sound of our wailing?

"Let Us Go Hence" - A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint and A Thought

Photo taken near Kingston, Tenn.

I think pretty much all of us have experienced the difficulties, dramas, and sorrows of the last couple years in one way or another. This poem reminded me that we are not always called to a quiet, peace-filled life, though there are times of that. There will also be periods of turmoil and confusion, sometimes more than others. It is a bit daunting when it feels like everyone is going through things at the same time, but it is good to remember that other eras of God's workings with mankind have also ended on a sour note, so perhaps we are only tasting the first traces of the next era as we finish out ours. Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Whatever the case, let's remember that in these troubled times we're going through there are still ways that we can be about our Father's business as we follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Let Us Go Hence”

 

“Let us go hence—from out the quiet chamber

Where soul with soul could meet,

From peace and safety, love and deep communion,

From tender counsel sweet:

“Hence”—to what grief, what terror and confusion,

Bewilderment and loss,

To shrieking mobs, to furious reviling,

The lash, the thorns. the cross.

 

And hast Thou called us, Lord, from peaceful pastures

To turmoil and to care,

To days of toil and nights of weary waking,

To watch with thee in prayer?

Then let us go, be it to shame and scorning,

To suffering and loss;

Even,—if Thou art with us, blessed Master—

 Yea, even to a cross.

- Annie Johnson Flint -

1 Peter 2:21-24 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

I would add one word of caution here. If you are going to suffer persecution or even death, let it be for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Politics and personality cults are not worth dying or suffering for in the context written here.

Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Evening Song - Lead Me to Calvary

 Psalm 102:12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

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King of my life, I crown Thee now,

Thine shall the glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,

Lead me to Calvary.

[Refrain]

Lest I forget Gethsemane,

Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me,

Lead me to Calvary.

Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,

Tenderly mourned and wept;

Angels in robes of light arrayed

Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.

Let me like Mary, through the gloom,

Come with a gift to Thee;

Show to me now the empty tomb,

Lead me to Calvary.

May I be willing, Lord, to bear

Daily my cross for Thee;

Even Thy cup of grief to share,

Thou hast borne all for me.

Words by: Jennie E. Hussey

Music by: William J. Kirkpatrick

A Few More Marchings Weary - by Fanny Crosby

A few more marchings weary,
Then we'll gather home!
A few more storm clouds dreary,
Then we'll gather home!
A few more days the cross to bear,
And then with Christ a crown to wear;
A few more marchings weary,
Then we'll gather home!

A few more nights of weeping,
Then we'll gather home!

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Myths About Suffering: Better than Jesus

This is a topic that may develop into a short series eventually, we will see what happens. This first article deals with the topic of the problem that can occur when Christians begin to think more highly of themselves, or their suffering loved one, than they ought to think and so develop ideas that are not only unbiblical but actually imply that we can endure suffering better than Jesus Christ Himself!

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Hebrews 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Suffering is a subject that holds a lot of fascination for mankind. Since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden one of the things that has defined the human condition on many levels has been suffering. Modern medical solutions have helped in many ways to reduce certain types of suffering, or to at least mask the affects so that we don't notice them so much. But, in the not-so-distant past  people endured some dreadful things in the way of pain, illness, quarantine, torture, and other things. Death was often times much harder than it is now, and even yet it is often enough quite dreadful.

One peculiarity of this is that a certain element of self-righteousness arises in some Christians around the subject of suffering...

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When Skies Are Brass - By Martha Snell Nicholson

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

When Skies Are Brass

When skies are brass and, though we pray,
No answer comes; and when our day
Is filled with pain and grief and care,
Sometimes we wonder, "Is God there?
And does He hear us - does He know
The pangs we suffer? And if so -
Because He is omnipotent,
And we so weak, our small strength spent -
Why not reach down His mighty hand
To help?" Could we but understand
His ways with us - could we but know
What God is doing for us now!

What is God doing for us now?
O child of His, why should we know?
He is the Potter, we the dust,
Shaped by His hand. Can we not trust?
Enough that He, the Perfect One,
Will finish what He has begun.
The Master Artist's own design,
Worked out in lives like yours and mine.
The Shepherd knoweth what is best
For that small lamb upon His breast;
And tenderly the FATHER feeds
And nourishes the child He leads.

O suffering ones, whose skies are brass,
Know that all grief and pain will pass;
All tears be dried. We may be sure
This life is but the overture.
Some day our voices we shall raise
In swelling symphonies of praise . . .
We could not bear it yet to know
What God is doing for us now!

- by Martha Snell Nicholson

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Thorn - By Martha Snell Nicholson

This is a very short poem, but it holds a profound thought.

The Thorn

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me.”
He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.”
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

by Martha Snell Nicholson

2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The Chasm

 

This is something I wrote years ago during some of the darkest hours of my life.  If you have ever been in this hurting place, you will recognize it and remember it for the rest of your life.  We go into it for different reasons and at different times, and we leave by different routes and in different ways, but it is the same Lord who goes with us through it and brings us safely to the other side!

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The Chasm

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Hebrews 13:5 ...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

How did I come to this loathsome place - this deep, dark canyon with its high sheer sides where no light penetrates the constant gloom - this vale that is filled with shadows and darkness? It seems only yesterday I was walking in pleasant places full of sunshine and fresh breezes. While I was not noticing the road descended into this fearsome depth. I would not turn back. I am no Ephraimite (Ps. 78:9). But, I could not if I would, for the path has closed behind me and there is no way to go but forward and through.

Continue Reading.

Counted Worthy

This weighty burden thou dost bear,
This heavy cross,
It is a gift the Lord bestows,
And not a loss;
It is a trust that He commits
Unto thy care,
A precious lesson He has deigned
With thee to share.

Rejoice that He so honors thee
And so esteems
Of highest worth; the crown of thorns
With Him to wear,
And all the suffering of that crown
With Him to bear,
That by and by His glory, too,
With Him thou’lt share.

Annie Johnson Flint

Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.