"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." - Isaiah 48:10
Today, we have the Covid 19 virus, we have lawlessness, corrupt hearts and minds of many to deal with, and we also are (some of us, particularly the elderly) having health issues other than the virus. We are concerned about what the future may hold and/or will things ever get better. All of you are aware of these concerns, and many more.
The above quoted Scripture at Isaiah can be exceedingly faith building to those of us who are true believers in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Once again, encouragement can be found by Charles Spurgeon's insight on the above verse, which follows:
"Comfort thyself, tried believer, with this thought: God saith, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction". - Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is not it an abestos armour, against which the heat hath no power? Let affliction come - God hath chosen me. Poverty, thou mayst stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayst intrude, but I have a balsam ready: God has chosen me. Whatsoever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me. If, believer, thou requirest still greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace. In that silent chamber of yours, there sitteth by your side One to Whom thou hast not seen, but Whom thou lovest; and oft times when thou knowest it not, He makes all thy bed in thy affliction, and smooths thy pillow for thee. Thou art in poverty, but in that lovely house of thine the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor. He loves to come into these desolate places that He may visit thee. Thy Friend sticks closely to thee. Thou canst not see Him, but thou mayst feel the pressure of His hands. Dost thou not hear His voice? Even in the valley of the shadow of death He says "Fear not, I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God."
Remember that noble speech of Ceasar "Fear not. Thou carriest Ceasar and all his fortune." Fear not, Christian, Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with thee" is His sure word of promises to His chosen ones in the "furnace of affliction." Wilt thou not then, take fast hold of Christ , and say: "Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead, I'll follow where He goes."
Spurgeon has a wonderful way with words, doesn't he? The main thing to cling to, no matter what your trial or affliction, is to stay close to the good Lord and have faith in Him and trust Him with all your heart! Be often in prayer, and surrender to His will - He knows best!
As brought out in the following 11 minute audio sermon clip of Andrew Murray's writings, "In suffering, it is the Spirit of God and of His glory that rests on us." - So abide in Christ!
Andrew mentions in the above sermon, that our trials and afflictions are often a sign of God at work.... His pruning and purging of us. Many of you know this.
Someone has said that trials and such brought on by your enemies, draws you even closer to the good Lord. (Looking to Him for guidance and solace and direction and for a solution.) Friends as a rule do not do that ! So love your enemies and pray for them! They can be a blessing from God that makes you turn to Him with greater fervor and frequency! -- and thereby increases your need and love for Him.
"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults!" - Benjamin Franklin
"God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people..... They were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy." - Charles Spurgeon
Remember too, that the Good Lord often lets "bad things happen to good people" because, being imperfect humans, good people sometimes err and sin, even sin unintentionally, and they need to be chastised and disciplined.
So the main thing we can do to endure affliction is to just stay in close communion with the Lord. Pray without ceasing! Read your Bible daily! Our heavenly Father and Jesus want to fellowship with us. You cannot grow to know a Person if you never communicate with Him! Our main concern, besides obeying the Lord, is to develop a close, intimate, personal, loving and living relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ! That is a wondrous thing, which will transform your life and blossom into a beautiful and lasting flower of love and glory for the Lord that will last for all of eternity!
But what if you are not saved? Not born again? Have not believed that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven? You have not accepted the true fact that Jesus' shed blood at the Cross can wash away your sins and wipe the slate clean, when you realize that He was the Sacrificial Lamb, that redeemed your soul because He took your place on that Cross, by taking on your sins, and paid your sin debt in full, if you will only have faith and believe that He is the Savior.
Following are some Scriptures to help you to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Savior. You need to repent of your sins first ! Some thoughts on that from the Biblical Illustrator Commentary are:
1. Repentance involves a deep sorrow and conviction for your sins.
2. A confession of your sins. (Pray to God for forgiveness, in all sincerity and heartfelt remorse)
3. You will then utterly forsake sin (deliberate and willful sin. We all err unintentionally at times)
4. Repentance is a necessary qualification to fit us for glory.
5. Repentance does not only give us a future evidence for heaven, but puts us into actual possession.
6. Repentance must be continually in us, and not merely for a Lent-season.
7. This must increase daily more and more in us.
Much more is written on the Biblical Illustrator Commentary on this subject of repentance. It would be of benefit to you to look it up on the Web.
The Scriptures of Salvation are:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
If you go to the search box on the upper right hand side of this page, and enter topics such as "The Rapture, Jesus' imminent return," etc. you will have those articles on those subjects pop up for you to read and select; some of which have videos.
Jesus will return very soon, according to the way Bible prophecy is coming true today at warp speed in these, the end times; the last moments of the last days.
Do not delay in surrendering your heart and life to the Savior!
Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms in an embrace overflowing with love and forgiveness !
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) " - 2 Corinthians 6:2
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25-26
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !!
