Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Chosen

My mom sent me this today. I will save it forever.
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I have tried you in the furnace of affliction--
Isaiah 48:10
Comfort yourself, tried believer, with this thought: God says, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" [KJV].
Does not the Word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is it not a protective shield, against which the heat has no power? Let affliction come--God has chosen me. Poverty, you may stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, you may intrude, but I have balsam ready--God has chosen me. Whatever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me.
If, believer, you require still greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace. In that silent chamber of yours, there sits by your side One whom you have not seen, but whom you love; and often when you do not know it, He comforts you in your affliction and softens the place of rest. You are in poverty; but in your lovely house the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor. He loves to come into these desolate places, that He may visit you. Your friend sticks closely to you. You cannot see Him, but you may feel the pressure of His hands. Do you not hear His voice? Even in the valley of the shadow of death He says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God." Remember that noble speech of Caesar: "Fear not, you carry Caesar and all his fortune." Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with you. In all your difficult trials, His presence is both your comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with you" is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in the "furnace of affliction." Will you not, then, take hold of Christ and say--
Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead, I'll follow where He goes.
Isaiah 41:10
Charles Spurgeon/ Alistair Begg

5 comments:

Mary T said...

Wow! I'm saving it, too.

Suzanne said...

How blessed you are to have such a wise, caring and spriritual mother with whom you can confide. Those things are to be cherished. She was right on with how God's chosen people are attacked when they stand up and stand firm.

God has given you a gift of communication. You keep letting it shine for him. Anon. would not be leaving you messages if you weren't hitting an accord with her and Satan didnn't feel a need to protect one of his. In Acts 5:41, when Peter and the apostles were severly beaten for their withness, they left the beating "rejoicing they were counted worthy to suffer for the HIS name sake". We too are to live sharig the faith no matter what cost. The subtext in my Bible says, "we may not be beaten or thrown in jail, but we may be ridiculed, ostracized or slandered. To what extent are you willing to suffer for sharing the gospel with others?" Verbal warfare can be painful, count it a blessing that you are being attacked in the name of our Redeemer. Your witness is powerful.

I am blessed to count you as my friend.

Suzanne

Erin Southwell said...

Wow that is beautiful. I love that it says affliction may come knocking at my door, by that God is already in the house with me. A beautiful reminder. I will save it too. Thanks for sharing, Steph.

Julie said...

Thanks for sharing. I needed to hear this today. God bless you!

Andrew and Carter's Mom said...

Did you read Angie Smith's newest post. It reminds me so much of you.