the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
In my distress I called upon the Lord. Psalms 18:6. Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again. I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me. Psalms 71:20; Psalms 118:5.
Whatever causes you anxiety and trouble, is sent you by the Lord for no other reason than to teach you to pray and believe to call upon Him. Let every anxiety or distress be God’s messenger to you who tells you: "It is now high time that you turn with all your heart to your Savior. " If your sins cause you anxiety, let this anxiety be to you a sealed letter from heaven. Break the seal and open the letter. You can open it by constant prayer, and you shall read therein, written with God’s own finger, the words in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. " If it be a great affliction, it is a memorandum from the Lord saying to you, "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalms 50:15). The Lord does not cause any human soul anxiety without reason; but since men are not usually drawn to God by love, He uses the rod. He uses force, so to speak, to compel them to seek His face and receive His help. If the saints of the Old Testament could comfort themselves in their anxiety; if they could find the face of God, how much more ought not we do it, to whom the bosom of God is so wide open in Christ, who came to this world in behalf of those who were in distress and anxiety. He who does not cast out any one who comes to Him, Himself cries out to all and invites them kindly, saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
In suffering, be Thy love my peace,
In weakness be Thy love my power;
And when, the storms of life shall cease,
Jesus, in that important hour,
In death as life be Thou my guide.
And save me, Who for me hast died!
