God's Word on That

Tag: god-during-crisis

  • Promises of Affection

    Whatever you have lost, God will make it up to you if you place your trust in Him and refuse to try to collect what you feel is owed you by yourself. [Look at Joseph and Job.] (Joyce Meyer)

    God has promised to never leave us, to always be with us in every trial.

    You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And earth has nothing I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my spirit (Psalm 73:24-26).

    Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in (Psalm 27:10).

    How precious concerning me are Your thoughts, O God!  How vast the sum of them!  Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of sand!       (Psalm 139:17-18)

    Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).

    Commit your way to the Lord.  Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5).

    A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in His holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:5-6).

    For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sin and lawless deeds I will remember no more (Jeremiah 31:34).

    “[Even if] the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord who has compassion on you (Isaiah 54:10).

    You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).

    For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: in repentance and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15).

    He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  [He] will say of the Lord “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2).

    O may Thy loving-kindness comfort me, according to Thy word to Thy servant (Psalm 119:76).

    Who am I, O Lord God?  And what is my house that You have brought me this far?  (1 Chronicles 17:16)

    “I will give your life to you as a prize.  In all places, wherever you go – should you then seek great things for yourself?  Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people,” declares the Lord, “but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life (Jeremiah 45:5).

    Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored and I have loved you.  Therefore I will give men for you and people for your life (Isaiah 43:4).

    Even to your old age, I am He – and even to gray hairs I will carry you.  I have made and I will bear; even I will carry you and will deliver you (Isaiah 46:4).

    “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of Hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

    If You, O Lord kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared (Psalm 130:3-4).

    Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

    Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).

    Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1).

  • Promises For Endurance

    The Bible reveals that God has a plan for every life.  And if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of that plan.

    God’s ways are not burdensome. They only look that way before we actually start following them.

    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me (Psalm 23:4).

    Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways (Psalm 37:7).

    But the Lord is faithful who will establish you and guard you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

    I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! (Psalm 27:13)

    I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

    News of misfortune will have no terrors for him [who fears the Lord], because his heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord.  His confidence is well established, he has no fear, and in the end he will see the downfall of his enemies (Psalm 112:7-8).

    For He has delivered me out of all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes (Psalm 54:7).

    The Lord will be your everlasting light and your days of sorrow will end (Isaiah 60:20).

    The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.  Your love, O Lord, endures forever.  Do not abandon the work of Your hands (Psalm 138:8).

    Come, let us return to the Lord… as surely as the sun rises He will appear.  He will come to us…  (Hosea 6:1, 3)

    But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

    I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint (Jeremiah 31:25).

    He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29).

    God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34).

    He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things (Psalm 107:9).

    Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with kindness and mercy, who satisfies your mouth with good things so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:2-5).

    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord.  “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

    Fear not for I am with you.  Be not dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you.  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

    I am the Lord your God who brought you up out of [slavery].  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it (Psalm 81:10).

    The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8).

    Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!  (Luke 12:32)

  • Promises For Deliverance

    Faith teaches us how to turn promises into psalms of praise and proverbs of wisdom.

    God has promised to guide us and help us. Cling to His promises!

    I rise before dawn and cry for help, I have put my hope in Your Word.  My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises (Psalm 119:147-148).

    My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life (Psalm 119:50).

    He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy (Job 8:21).

    Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me…  Whoever offers praise glorifies Me (Psalm 50:15, 23).

    The Lord redeems His servants, no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him (Psalm 34:22).

    A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all (Psalm 34:19).

    The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry…  The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles (Psalm 34:15, 17).

    The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials (2 Peter 2:9).

    The righteous man is rescued from trouble (Proverbs 11:8).

    For every sigh, God has a psalm.

    The Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him…  (Deuteronomy 4:7)

    For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime!  Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

    Come let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up (Hosea 6:1).

    But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings…  (Malachi 4:2)

    When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7).

    God will wipe away all tears from their eyes (Revelation 7:17).

    The Lord will keep you from harm – He will watch over your life (Psalm 121:7).

    From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and You listened to my cry (Jonah 2:1).

    I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame (Psalm 34:4-5).

    This poor man cried out and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them (Psalm 34:6-7).

    Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3).

  • Seeking His Promises

    The Lord may not have definitely planned that this should overtake me, but He has most certainly permitted it.  So though it were an attack of an enemy, by the time it reaches me, it has the Lord’s permission and so all is well.  He will make it work together with all life’s experiences – for good.       (C H Welch)

    God’s promises are like a sweet aroma that enhances our journey.

    Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel.  All came to pass (Joshua 21:45).

    He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me (Psalm 55:18).

    When I said, “my foot is slipping,” Your love, O Lord, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul (Psalm 94:18-19).

    The Lord turns [all] my darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29).

    In the day when I cried out, You answered me; and made me bold with strength in my soul (Psalm 138:3).

    You broaden the path beneath me so my feet do not slip (Psalm 18:36).

    Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of [the nations].  For the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

    He brought me out into a spacious place.  He rescued me because He delighted in me (Psalm 18:19).

    He reached down from on high and took hold of me.  He drew me out of deep waters.  He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes who were too strong for me (Psalm 18:16-17).

    You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble [overpowering me] and surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7).

    And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18).

    No harm will befall you; no disaster will come near your tent.  For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways…  “Because he loves Me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him.  I will protect him for he acknowledges My name.  He will call upon Me and I will answer him.  I will be with him in trouble.  I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”  (Psalm 91:10-16)

    A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked (Psalm 91:7-8).

    And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

    But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus – after you have suffered a while – perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you (1 Peter 5:10).

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed [in us with Christ Jesus]  (Romans 8:18).

  • Seeking Truth

    Scripture will make you wise; wiser than people around you.  Notice I said wiser, not more knowledgeable.  A wise man is one who can distinguish what is fundamental from what is trivial; who knows what life is about and who acts appropriately, whatever the circumstances.

    Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

    Knowledge is facts.  Wisdom is dealing with facts for the good of all concerned.

    The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever (Psalm 119:160).

    The unfolding of Your Word gives light.  It gives understanding [even] to the simple (Psalm 119:130).

    If you look for truth you may find comfort in the end.  If you look for comfort you will find neither comfort nor truth – only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with, and in the end, despair.   (C. S. Lewis)

    Your Word is truth (John 17:17).

    Everything God says is truth.  We can believe that.  And because we are made in His image, we need to know that what we say will come to pass!  Therefore: watch your words!

    Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit (Psalm 34:13).

    Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from trouble (Proverbs 21:23).

    He who guards his lips guards his life… (Proverbs 13:3)

    Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord.  Keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3).

    Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law (Psalm 119:18).

    Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

    Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight (Psalm 119:77).

    How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to Your Word (Psalm 119:9).

    Jesus did not come to abolish the old law and give a new one.  He came to redefine the law – so we understood it was meant for our hearts, not our minds.

    They are not just idle words for you.  They are your life!  By them you will live in the land (Deuteronomy 32:47).

    Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me.  Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell (Psalm 43:3).

    For God (who said “Let light shine out of darkness”) made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of His knowledge: of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

    The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this – not forgetting what he has heard but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does (James 1:25).

    Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth.  Meditate on it day and night, so you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).

    Make us aware of how precious Your Word is.  Bless those who transport it to far-off places.  Thank You, Father, for giving us this source of light and strength, and for the opportunities to uncover the jewels waiting to be discovered in Your pages.

  • Seeking Spiritual Wisdom

    Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is “knowledge in action”. Like all knowledge, spiritual knowledge may make you feel accomplished or provide a patch-work relief, but unless you actually implement on your knowledge, i.e. take proper action, your knowledge will simply remain knowledge. It will not transform to wisdom!!

    Wisdom on spiritual things comes from God.

    Who is like a wise man?  And who knows the interpretation of a thing?  A man’s wisdom makes his face shine and the sternness of his face is changed (Ecclesiastes 8:1).

    There is the spirit in man – the breath of the Almighty – that gives him understanding.  It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right (Job 32:8-9).

    But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live in safety, and be at ease without fear of harm.        [Not that harm will never come, but that we will not live in fear because of possible harm.]    (Proverbs 1:33)

    But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere (James 3:17).

    Yes, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:3-5).

    Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33).

    “In the beginning was the Word” = Christ – literally “the Word”, meaning the Messiah – the Wisdom and Power of God – and the first cause of all things; God’s personal expression of Himself to man.     (Living Bible comment on John 1:1)

    All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may follow all the words of this Law (Deuteronomy 29:29).

    You are wise only when you are humble, that the very first bit of wisdom and the pre-requisite for all others is the realization that we are not wise. (Socrates)

    I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, our glorious Father, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better (Ephesians 1:17).

    It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus – who has become for us wisdom from God; that is: our righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

    [Christ Jesus] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).

    He who walks with the wise grows wise (Proverbs 13:20).

    Observe [these decrees and laws of God] carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations (Deuteronomy 4:6).

    Whoever is wise will observe these things and will understand the loving-kindness of the Lord (Psalm 107:43).

    [Be careful.]  With much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief (Ecclesiastes 1:18).

    [Yet] Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 24:14).

    I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me, but I have stilled and quieted my soul… (Psalm 131:1-2)

    Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

  • Seeking Wisdom

    God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight and a breath of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore [simply because he was humble enough to ask] (1 Kings 4:29).

    I [wisdom] love those who love me, and those who seek me [diligently] find me (Proverbs 8:17).

    I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 8:12).

    Be mature enough to realize you still have much to learn.  Be wise enough to know “respect” is something you earn.

    Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing…  Wisdom preserves the life of its possessor (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12)

    Wisdom is better than weapons of war…  (Ecclesiastes 9:18)

    Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city (Ecclesiastes 7:19).

    By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled (Proverbs 24:3-4).

    The price of wisdom is beyond rubies (Job 28:18).

    But where can wisdom be found?  Where does understanding dwell?  Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living [the natural world] (Job 28.12-13).

    Is not wisdom found among the aged?  Does not long life bring understanding? (Job 12:12).

    Wisdom cannot be measured in birthdays.

    It is good to remember that conventional wisdom is usually concerned with justifying itself, not with finding truth. (Rev. F. Everding)

    When pride comes, then comes disgrace.   But with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).

    For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).

    There is no wisdom, no insight, nor plan that can succeed against the Lord (Proverbs 21:30).

    For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight (Ecclesiastes 2:26).

    Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For through Me your days will be many and years will be added to your life (Proverbs 9:10-11).

    The Fear of the Lord teaches man wisdom (Proverbs 15:33).

    Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  All who follow His precepts have good understanding (Psalm 111:10).

    Fear of the Lord – that is wisdom.  And to shun evil is understanding (Job 28:28).

    Fear of the Lord adds length to your life (Proverbs 10:27).

    Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments… (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

    Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers (Proverbs 6:20).

    If you are facing a trial today, spend some additional time in prayer asking the heavenly Father for wisdom.  He delights to hear from us, and answers our prayers for such things.  Acknowledge that you are dependent on God and express your trust in Him as the only source for healing and direction in life.

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given… (James 1:5)

  • So We Seek

    Up now, slight man!  Flee for a little while your occupation.  Hide yourself for a time from your disturbing thoughts.  Cast aside your burdens and cares, and put away your toilsome business.  Yield room for some little time to God and rest for a little time in Him.  Enter the chamber of your mind; shut out all thoughts save that of God and such as can aid you in seeking Him.  Speak now to God saying, “I seek Your face.”

    This is what the Lord says to the [sleeping] house of Israel: “Seek Me and live!” (Amos 5:4)

    God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us (Acts 17:27).

    O God, You are my God.  Earnestly I seek You.  My soul thirsts for You; my body longs for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water (Psalm 63:1).

    But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe (1) that God exists, and (2) that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

    In approaching God, the seeker discovers that the Divine Being dwells in obscurity, hidden behind a cloud of unknowing.  Nevertheless he should not be discouraged but set his will with a naked intent unto finding God.  This cloud is between the seeker and God only, so that the seeker may never “see” God clearly by the light of his understanding nor “feel” Him in his emotions.  But by the mercy of God, faith can reach through into God’s presence, if the seeker but believes the Word and presses on. (John M. Watkins)

    Therefore seek God with your heart and not your head.

    Seek and you will find… for… He who seeks, finds (Matthew 7:7-8).

    You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

     If from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and all your soul (Deuteronomy 4:29).

    Many seek the God they want but do not know the God who is.

    The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:25).

    The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed; a stronghold in times of trouble; those who know Your name will trust in You; for You, O Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You (Psalm 9:9-10).

    God is never irritated by the candle of an honest seeker.

    Seek the Lord and His strength.  Seek His face evermore (1 Chronicles 16:11).

    Seek the Lord while He may be found.  Call on Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).

    Seek the Lord all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice.  Seek righteousness, seek humility… (Zephaniah 2:3)

    [Seek Christ] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).

    Seek God’s wisdom so you are slow to condemn but quick to show compassion.

    One thing I ask of the Lord, this I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His holy Temple (Psalm 27:4).

  • But God’s Discipline is Not Harsh

    God is very ingenious in making crosses for us – He makes crosses of whatever we love best, and turns all to bitterness.  They crucify such persons from head to foot, and teach them their own lack of power and the uselessness of all they possess.  But faith turns these crosses all to good account.  It teaches us to look upon all such things as mere bondage, and in our patient acceptance of them it shows us real freedom.  Happy are those who learn to see God’s hand bruising them in mercy.     (Fenelon)

    God doesn’t discipline us to be mean. Beauty does come from it.

    Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him! (Job 13:15)

    The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death (Psalm 118:18).

    God is a fountain of endless novelty.

    It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority (Acts 1:7).

    You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but You will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.  You will restore me to even greater honor; and comfort me once again…  Then I will praise You with music on the harp because You are faithful to Your promises, O God (Psalm 71:20-22).

    Everything in heaven and on earth is designed to purify us and make us worthy of Him.

    Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from Your law.  You grant him relief from days of trouble (Psalm 94:12-13).

    [Even] Though He [Jesus] was a [firstborn] Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).

    A wise son heeds his father’s instruction (Proverbs 13:1).

    He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored (Proverbs 13:18).

    No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have indeed been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).

    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain (Psalm 139:6).

    The ultimate measure of a friend is where they stand in times of challenge.  In the same way, we will never know (in a personal way) the faithfulness of Jesus apart from adversity and Him sharing it with us.  God is in the process of engineering circumstances through which He can reveal Himself to each one of us.

    When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the rest of the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).

    No matter what you feel, God is always good.

  • God Guides Through Discipline

    God does not want us happy and comfortable. [I am a good person, therefore I deserve…]  God sustained 938,000 people in the desert for 40 years.  He can sustain you.  He has no trouble keeping you alive.  He wants you in service – He needs your spirit.   It is your spirit that He spends time disciplining.            

    Our Father is always watching to correct our path.

    Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction.  For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:11-12).

    Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects.  Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty (Job 5:17).

    And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves and punishes everyone He accepts as a son.”  Endure [choose to submit to] hardship as discipline.  God is treating you as sons.  For what son is not disciplined by his father? (Hebrews 12:5-7)

    God heaps crosses on those He loves.  “Could He not make us good without making us so miserable?”  But He has not chosen to do so.  He is the Master.  We can only be silent and adore His infinite wisdom without understanding it. (Fenelon)

    Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline (Revelation 3:19).

    The more we are afraid to bear crosses, the more we need them.  We should be fully aware of the magnitude of our disease by seeing the severity of the remedies that our Spiritual Physician sees good to apply!  Accept suffering as therapeutic to building faith and character.     (Fenelon)

    Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you (Deuteronomy 8:5).

    We must carry our cross as a treasure.  It is through that cross that we are made worthy of God and conformed to the likeness of His Son. Crosses are part of our daily bread.  God regulates the measure of them according to the things we really lack and require.  He knows what we need, even if we are ignorant of it.  Let Him do as He wills and let us resign ourselves into His hands.    

    My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work [in you], that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

    For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life (Proverbs 6:23).