A Look at the Book #465

A Look at the Book #465

by Jesse Abel

Daily Devotional – A Look at the Book #466

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

We are often found suffering! Still most of this affliction is minor. But who is sufficient for the suffering of a deep intensity? This sufficiency can only be handled by Jesus Christ who will comfort. Pray then for this comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:1-5

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

When peace like a river attends to my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; What ever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say it is well with my soul. This hymn has always consoled my heart when life makes a bend in the road. Most of us know a story or two about the writer of this hymn. Horatio G. Spafford, but let me recap for a moment in this anyway! His first recorded affliction was the lost of his son who died at the age of four in 1871. Then soon to follow was the loss of his fortune in the Chicago fire of 1873. Then just ten years after the loss of his son, he sent his wife and two daughters ahead of him to Europe on the SS Ville du Havre. This ship and another; a cargo ship named Loch Earn collided and the SS Ville du Havre sank. His wife Anna survived and sent him a telegram saying only two words – “SAVED ALONE!” It is said that Mr. Spafford who was on his way to join his wife; was inspired to write the hymn as his ship passed near to the area where his two daughters died. Later they would have three more children; another son who died at infancy and two girls, Bertha and Grace. Later still, he and his family moved to Jerusalem and developed an American Colony to help the poor and needy of Israel. While we look at this event of the past and realize that God’s Plan is better seen from our present moment in time, we must also realize that there are those whose present moment of suffering is now. So for this moment we morn with them, for this moment we reach out to comfort them. Still there will be a day in time when the tears will cease and the comfort will erupt in praise to God as suffering becomes the precious gem stones refined in the furnace of God’s Mercy as He intended.

We certainly do not see these gems presently since they are in their rough cut stage. There is much work of endurance, patience and faith to labor through. God is sufficient; He will see His people through all bends in the road and He will produce from the Faith of the Chief Cornerstone other gems of faithful people who wait on Him to do His perfect work. 1 Peter 2:4-10

This will be all for today… please pray for the comfort of our church family! Amen.