| We are not always able to see how God works in the lives of His children. We know not His design nor can we trace His movements, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” And the Lord says to us, as He did to Peter, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” But amid all the testings and pressures of life we do know, by faith, that “as for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those who trust in Him. … It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” If, like Asaph, we must say that “all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning,” yet His word to us is that “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Now “we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us … after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” So though “we are troubled on every side, yet [we are] not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair,” for we “have not seen, and yet have believed.” |
