The God Who Suffered

“In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statue of the Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world.

But each time, after a while I have had to look away. And in imagination I have turned instead to the lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness.

That is the God for me! He laid aside His immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in the light of His. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we stamp another mark, the cross which symbolizes divine suffering.”

- John R.W. Stott, The Cross of Christ

Comfort

“You strengthen me more and more;
you enfold and comfort me.”

- Psalm 71:21

Pearls

“The burden of suffering seems to be a tombstone hung around our necks. Yet in reality it is simply the weight necessary to hold the diver down while he is searching for pearls.”

- Julius Richter, Streams in the Desert

The Faith To Persevere

“Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know Him. Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life – throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence on God.”

- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Take Heart

“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

- Psalm 27:13-14

Songs in the Night

“The strength of a ship is only fully demonstrated when it faces a hurricane, and the power of the gospel can only be fully exhibited when a Christian is subjected to some fiery trial. We must understand that for God to give ’songs in the night,’ He must first make it night.”

- Nathaniel William Taylor, Streams in the Desert

Unattractive Gifts

“Dear friend, God may send you some valuable gifts wrapped in unattractive paper. But do not worry about the wrappings, for you can be sure that inside He has hidden treasures of love, kindness, and wisdom. If we will simply take what he sends and trust Him for the blessings inside, we will learn the meaning of the secrets of His providence, even in times of darkness.”

- A.B. Simpson, Streams in the Desert

Hope

“Remember your word to your servant,
because you have given me hope.
This is my comfort in my trouble,
that your promise gives me life.”

- Psalm 119:49-50

A Morning Prayer

“Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day:  Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen”

- The Divine Hours, adapted from The Book of Common Prayer

Trust

“So if you are suffering according to God’s will,
keep on doing what is right,
and trust yourself to the God who made you,
for he will never fail you.”

- I Peter 4:19