And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
“Will you not learn to say from today, “Welcome every trial, for it comes from God?” If you want God to be all in all, you must see and meet God in every providence. Oh, learn to accept God’s will in everything! Come learn to say of every trial, without exception, “It is my Father who sent it. I accept it as His messenger,” and nothing in earth or hell can separate you from God. If God is to be all in all in your heart and life, I say not only, Allow Him to take His place, and accept all His will…
Trust in His power. Dear friends, it is “God who worketh to will and to do according to His good pleasure.” It is “the God of peace,” according to another passage, “who perfects you in every good thing to do His will, working in you what is well-pleasing in His sight.” You complain of weakness, of feebleness, of emptiness. Never mind; that is what you are made for – to be an emptied vessel, in which God can put His fullness and His strength. Do learn the lesson. I know it is not easy.”
Andrew Murray (1828-1917) in The Master’s Indwelling, excerpt from Chapter XIII. “That God May Be All In All” (1953).
I got up this morning at 5:00am to read Andrew Murray on Providence. This statement caught my attention. “Welcome every trial, for it comes from God?” As I kept reading it started to make sense. Then I could read no further after he made this point. “You complain of weakness, of feebleness, of emptiness. Never mind; that is what you are made for – to be an emptied vessel, in which God can put His fullness and His strength. Do learn the lesson. I know it is not easy.”
As I paused to reflect on the meaning of this, a notification flashed across the corner of my screen. I learned that my 76-year old mother, Patricia “Patsy” Hoag, had been hospitalized last night. She was recently diagnosed with a heart murmur and possible valve trouble. How about that for timing? I don’t know her condition but after reading God’s Word and considering these thoughts this morning I can do nothing but peacefully pray and “see and meet God in every providence.”
Father in heaven, thank you that nothing can separate us from your love. Though we complain of weakness, of feebleness, of emptiness, thank you that as emptied vessels you generously fill us with your fullness and strength. Would you do that afresh today for my mother and all those who are suffering? And by your Holy Spirit, please also pour out your peace in our lives so that we may dispense it wherever we go in a world filled with troubles. Hear my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.