“This sickness is not unto death.” John 11:4 NKJV
From our Lord’s words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an “unto” within which its ultimate end is restrained. The sickness cannot go beyond. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the final condition of his sickness. In all sickness, the Lord says to the waves of pain, “This far and no farther will you come” (Job 38:11 NLT). His fixed purpose is not the destruction, but the instruction of His people. Wisdom hangs the thermometer at the mouth of the furnace, and regulates the heat. Note first that the limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses—each pang is decreed, each sleepless hour predestined, each relapse ordained, each moment of depression foreknown, and each purifying result eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of the One who numbers the hairs of our heads. Second, this limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the designated end, and to the apportioned grace. Affliction does not come haphazardly—the pressure of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. The One who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds and measuring out the heavens commits no errors in doling out the ingredients that compose the medicine of souls. We cannot suffer too much or be relieved too late. Finally, the limit is tenderly arranged. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. “He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone” (Lamentations 3:33). A mother’s heart cries, “Spare my child,” but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how resistant we are, it is a wonder that we are not driven with a sharper bit. This thought is full of comfort: the One who has fixed the boundaries of our habitation (Acts 17:26) has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation. - C. H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
We live lives thinking we've gone through a lot.
Each has a story they can tell that should it all be known would amaze just about anyone else.
That last line of this devotional.
This thought is full of comfort: the One who has fixed the boundaries of our habitation (Acts 17:26) has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation.
We are not going to go farther nor experience more that what God has set the boundaries for in our lives.
Some mistakenly grasp onto the thinking that God won't give you more than you can bear. God always does more than we think can be done...often with less than we thought it could be done with.
Many examples in the Old Testament are of God doing just that.
The Lord would tell them to whittle down the amount of people because there were too many.
God has each of us born in that time period that would be best for us to know Him in the best way possible.
We are going to face rough times, but, as Scripture says He is faithful.
We must be faithful in prayer.
We must be faithful in obedience.
We may not see the desired result we are after but it is the result He is after.
We weren't saved to just live as we want to. We are saved to live as He wants us to.
That includes experiences that will be everything from mild to intense.
We are to set our minds on things above. In those thoughts must be that His Will for you and I is perfect. Regardless of how rough the road.
Pray at all times. Keep the faith. It's the keys to many of Paul's letters.
When life isn't what you expected, look to Him to see where He is taking you.
Our lives are always in His hands.
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