A Bit of Spurgeon

"I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made." -- Isaiah 57:16

Our heavenly Father seeks our instruction, not our destruction. His contention with us has a kind intention towards us. He will not be always in arms against us. We think the Lord is long in his chastisements, but that is because we are short in our patience. His compassion endureth for ever, but not his contention. The night may drag its weary length along, but it must in the end give place to cheerful day. As contention is only for a season, so the wrath which leads to it is only for a small amount. The Lord loves his chosen too well to be always angry with them.

If he were to deal with us always as he does sometimes we should faint outright, and go down hopelessly to the gates of death. Courage, dear heart! the Lord will soon end his chiding. Bear up, for the Lord will bear you up, and bear you through. He who made you knows how frail you are, and how little you can bear. He will handle tenderly that which he has fashioned so delicately. Therefore, be not afraid because of the painful present, for it hastens to a happy future. He that smote you will heal you; his little wrath shall be followed by great mercies.

(From "The Cheque-Book of the Bank of Faith" by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Pilgrim Publications, 1975)

~ Tom

Comments

[Sherrin]

Great quote! It is good to be reminded not only that God does send us chastisements, but also that releases us from them at the right time. He chastens us just enough to shape us into the people he wants us to be, no more. He is indeed a tender father.

[Dorothy]

Thanks for the encouragement! We are in the midst of a trial, and it is always comforting to hear again just how much our Heavenly Father loves us and will tenderly provide. One funny note...when I started reading below the quote, I was thinking, "Man! Tom is writing in an old English style." Then, I got to the bottom of the post and realized the entire post was a quote! I had to laugh! :-)