November 17

No place for self-pity

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31)
“All these things are against me” (Gen. 42:36).

Do not let us simply bemoan our circumstances. In some cases the believer’s testimony is, “All things are against me.” That was old Jacob’s testimony. Then he added, “Joseph is dead”—but he was not!—“Simeon is dead”—but he was not!—“and now they are going to take Benjamin.” Now Jacob, yield all to God; leave it all in God’s hands. And if you do, you will hear the returning cavalcade, which will bring you the news that Joseph is not dead, but is the governor of Egypt; that Simeon is in the spare bedroom of the palace; that Benjamin is in the seat of honor; and there is a warm place for the old man.
—Reader Harris.


Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
—William Cowper.

Difficulties on all sides confronted the missionaries in Burma. And now Adoniram Judson was being taken to prison. As he was being led along, a man spat at him out of the darkness and sneeringly said, “How bright are the prospects of your mission now?” “As bright as the promises of God, my friend,” came the saintly reply. That is true faith that can believe God’s wonderful promises when all is dark without and there is little outward evidence of the great success we have been promised in our ventures for God.

If the Lord lifts up the light of His countenance upon you as He has done upon me this day, all your mountains will become molehills.
—Samuel Pearce.

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