the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
I will praise thee; for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. Psalms 118:21. Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. Psalms 71:20-21.
As long as afflictions, temptations, misfortunes, by which God humbles us, last, it is hard for the poor human heart. The heart discovers neither counsel nor help. Yet, when the heart looks up to Him who directs all things, and without whom nothing can happen to us or meet us; when it recalls how often He has delivered it out of distress, comforted the frightened soul, sent joy after sorrow, and how He always lets great blessings follow upon great afflictions, the heart will, if it endure, at last give thanks for the great gain which the soul has obtained through affliction. Afflictions humble, make the soul little and bowed down; lead to the realization and confession of sin. God gives grace to the humble; but He resists the proud. He must, therefore, first curb our pride, our arrogance, that He may show grace to those who are humbled and raise them up. By affliction He seeks a way to our hearts, when He can not find it because of our pride. Hence He has intended only grace, peace, and glorification, even though He has cast you to the ground, stricken or humbled you. He will make you great and glorious. Therefore He has made you small and insignificant. Will you not permit Him to do so? Will you prohibit Him from so doing? If so, He can do nothing for you, and you remain a proud fool in that you shun the way that leads to true exaltation.
Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home.
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet! I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
