I had a professor in college who gave out countless hand outs in class. To be honest, when I saw them coming I would pull out my folder and shove the hand out in and not look at it again. After all, we got them almost every class period- there was nothing special about them...or was there?
Senior year I got smart (no pun intended) and actually started paying attention to them and I found that they were actually quite helpful, yes- even powerful! I came across this one while packing for China and put it on my little board to see every day.
It has been on my mind quite a bit recently.
.............
1 I ask'd the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and ev'ry grace,
Might more of his salvation know,
And seek more earnestly his face.
In faith, and love, and ev'ry grace,
Might more of his salvation know,
And seek more earnestly his face.
2 'Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
And he, I trust has answer'd pray'r;
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.
And he, I trust has answer'd pray'r;
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.
3 I hop'd that in some favour'd hour,
At once he'd answer my request:
And by his love's constraining pow'r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
At once he'd answer my request:
And by his love's constraining pow'r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
4 Instead of this. he made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow'rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev'ry part.
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow'rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev'ry part.
5 Yea more, with his own hand he seem'd
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Cross'd all the fair designs I schem'd,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Cross'd all the fair designs I schem'd,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
6 Lord, why is this, I trembling cry'd,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
"'Tis in this way," the Lord reply'd,
"I answer pray'r for grace and faith.
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
"'Tis in this way," the Lord reply'd,
"I answer pray'r for grace and faith.
7 "These inward trials I employ,
"From self and pride to set thee free;
"And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
"That thou mayst seek thy all in me."
"From self and pride to set thee free;
"And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
"That thou mayst seek thy all in me."
John Newton
.............
We think that just because we take something before the throne, naturally it will get better- that is what He does, is it not?
He fixes things.
We forget that sometimes pain is required in the purification process. Sometimes we will not understand until we feel the agony of sacrifice. Sometimes we cannot understand without knowing the brevity of life. Sometimes we need a cross to answer our calls.
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