Murray: our only joy

Wednesday, July 20, 2022
    Commemoration of Bartolomè de las Casas, Apostle to the Indies, 1566
Meditation:
    [Haggai:] “‘I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me,’ declares the LORD.”
    —Haggai 2:17 (NIV)
Quotation:
    It is an unspeakable mercy that the Father comes with His chastisement, makes the world round us all dark and unattractive, leads us to feel more deeply our sinfulness, and for a time lose our joy in what was becoming so dangerous. He does it in the hope that, when we have found our rest in Christ in time of trouble, we shall learn to choose abiding in Him as our only portion; and when the affliction is removed, have so grown more firmly into Him, that in prosperity He still shall be our only joy. So much has He set His heart on this, that though He has indeed no pleasure in afflicting us, He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.
    ... Andrew Murray (1828-1917), Abide in Christ, Philadelphia: The Rodgers Co., 1895?, p. 133-134 (see the book)
    See also Hag. 2:17; Amos 4:8-11; John 15:2-4; Heb. 12:5-11; 2 John 1:9; Rev. 3:19
Quiet time reflection:
    Correct me, Lord. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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