March 4, 2016
For His Time
My
times are in your hands. — Psalm 31:15
Read:
James
1:2-4
When South African pastor Andrew Murray was
visiting England
in 1895, he began to suffer pain
from a previous back injury. While he was
recuperating, his hostess told him of a woman who
was in great trouble and
wanted to know if he had
any counsel for her. Murray said, “Give her this
paper
which I have been writing for my own
[encouragement]. It may be that she will
find it
helpful.” This is what Murray wrote:
“In time of trouble
say:
First—God brought me
here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.
Next—He will keep me
in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.
Then—He will make the
trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me
the grace He means to bestow.
Last—In His good time
He can bring me out again—how and when He knows.
I am here—by God’s
appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”
We want the instant
solution, the quick fix, but some things cannot be disposed of so readily; they
can only be accepted. God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest
in Him.
Dear Lord, it’s hard to endure times of illness
and suffering. Comfort me and help me to trust You.
When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.
INSIGHT:
James saw himself as a servant of Christ
(James 1:1), even though he was Christ’s half-brother (Matt. 13:55). He did not
come to faith until after Jesus’s resurrection (John 7:3–5; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor.
15:7) and eventually became a leader in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13).
In writing this letter to Jewish believers who had been scattered because of
persecution, he focuses on Jewish thinking and values: It is highly practical,
intensely candid, and wisdom-oriented. Because of its practical application, it
has been referred to as the “Proverbs” of the New Testament.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2016
