The Crown of Victory

It is true that looking forward there may be seen long avenues of tribulation, but the glory is at the end of them; battles may be foreseen, and woe to the man who does not expect them, but the eye of faith perceives the crown for victory. Deep waters are mapped upon our journey; but faith can see Jehovah fording these rivers with us, and she anticipates the day when we shall ascend the banks of the shore and enter into Jehovah’s rest. When we have received the priceless truths into our souls, we are satisfied with favor and full of the goodness of the Lord. I value the gospel not only for what it has done for me in the past, but the guarantees which it affords me of eternal salvation. “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

-Charles Spurgeon

Stand Still and See

I'm standing Lord:
There is a mist that blinds my sight.
Steep, jagged rocks, front, left and right,
Lower, dim, gigantic, in the night.
Where is the way?

I'm standing, Lord:
The black rock hems me in behind,
Above my head a moaning wind
Chills and oppresses heart and mind.
I am afraid!

I'm standing, Lord:
The rock is hard beneath my feet;
I nearly slipped, Lord, on the sleet.
So weary Lord! and where a seat?
Still must I stand?

He answered me, and on His face
A look ineffable of grace,
Of perfect, understanding love,
Which all my murmuring did remove.

I'm standing, Lord:
Since Thou hast spoken, Lord, I see
Thou hast beset - these rocks are Thee!
And since Thy love encloses me,
I stand and sing...

~*~

This poem was written in 1931 by Elizabeth Alden Scott, a missionary to China who felt her heart torn between the Lord's work and the insatiable desire to marry her fellow missionary, John Stam. But the banner of their relationship was always "God first," and so Elizabeth felt it necessary to leave for China and surrender all of her heart's desires to the one who held her times in His safe hands.

About eight months after she sailed to China, John finished his studies and with no other barriers left in the way, he also embarked for Shanghai- having no idea whether or not he would find Elizabeth there. 'Doubts were eating away at his hopes. He was so sure of his love for her - was she not so sure of hers for him? Had he honestly desired nothing but the will of God? Was he willing to face life without this loved woman?'

God knew what He was doing. Just before John arrived, Elizabeth had to return from the work in northern Anhwei to the main city of Shanghai in order to have a tonsillectomy, which kept her there for several weeks. Needless to say, when John found Betty at the missionary headquarters upon his arrival, his joy could not be contained. He immediately proposed. She said yes.

'It was a long year that passed after John and Betty said good-bye. When they met again, it was the eve of their wedding.'

They were happily married on the morning of October 25, 1933. In December of 1934 - two months after their first child had been born - John and Betty we captured by Chinese communists, marched half-naked through the village streets, and beheaded.

~*~

This is not a sad story; and this is not the wrong ending. God was faithful in the lives of this man and woman to accomplish His purposes. They kept Him as their greatest priority and, as a result, he brought them great happiness together and shortly thereafter called them to glory.

We should not shake our fists at the barriers and frustrations that God allows into our lives - they are for our sanctification; they force us to put faith in God, not in ourselves and not in others. Who hopes for what he already sees?

...oh for grace to trust Him more...

Forever He Will Not Orphaned Be

The sky is grey and the light is far
The sea is a rage within my heart
I turn my sight to the crashing waves
I cry in the night just to be saved

I need eyes to be my guide
I need a voice that’s louder than mine
I need hope I need You
Cause I can’t do this alone

Grace I call Your name
Oh won’t Your smile fall over me
I’m cracked and dry on hands and knees
Oh sweet grace rain down on me I need You grace

I pray for dawn a new day to live
I pray for mercy only Jesus gives
Though darkness falls and a million cry
I believe over all there’s a greater light shining for us

Come down and save me

~*~

I will wait for You there
Down on my knees where I met You
Give You all of my cares
Find a grace to hold onto now
I’m calling for You

I will wait for You there
far from the world and it’s violence
It left broken and bare
I need to hear You in the silence now
I’m calling for You

I will wait for You there
Down On my knees where I met you
Cause life is a war fought with tears
But You are the strength I hold onto now
I’m calling for you

And with outstretched arms
I will sing out melodies
And my beating heart
Will pour out a symphony
Hallelujah’s in the morning
Hallelujah’s in the night

I will wait for you
…as long as I have life

-Phil Wickham

Light Shining Out of Darkness

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

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

Judge not the LORD by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
GOD is his own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

-William Cowper