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Since God uses all things for our good (which enables us to “bear all things” that occur in our life - 1Co 13:7), we can take everything as if from His hand, for there is nothing that transpires in our lives which He does not use for “good.” He even uses evil to show us what is good (“all things” – Ro 8:28; Gen 50:20); for all that occurs in our lives comes to pass only by His foreknowledge and allowance as He works “according to His purpose, which He has purposed in Himself: (Eph 1:9, 11)! Thus we can rest, as much as lies within our understanding, “in patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honor and immortality, eternal life” (Ro 2:7); and know that all that is in our walk (lifestyle) is for the purpose of continued learning, and never punishment (loving chastisement is not punishment - Heb 12:6).
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him (always wait it out with assurance of eventual encouragement); do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass” (Psa 37:7); and the “waiting” is well displayed in the “casting all your care upon Him” (1Pe 5:7); and think not that you are “unworthy” to cast all on Him (1Co 11:27, 29: Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1Th 2:12; 2Th 1:5). It’s when we attempt to spare and save ourselves from the infirmities God uses to conform us that we short ourselves of the scales in the teachings of His ways—which are always “for good toward them that love God” (Ro 8:28).
NC
The difference between a satisfied and unsatisfied, though earnest soul, is very marked. The latter betrays self at every opposition; he is diligent in acquiring truth, like the bee toiling all day for honey, but with this great zeal there is a peculiar sensitiveness to every obstacle, which, like the bee, he avenges by bitter retort. The sense of that great good, which will only satisfy me, stimulates me to unceasing energy to acquire it; but in proportion to my zeal, the more embittered am I with what interferes with me in my pursuit. The bee toiling indefatigably for the sweetest thing inflicts on its opponent the bitterest wound.
The desire of the heart to reach the best thing is right and perfect, but because that which satisfies has not been reached, there is no strength against the disturber, and this too often exposes the saint to the reproach of being in manner and word the very opposite to his profession and real purpose (occasionally displaying a poor witness—NC).The more we are set on reaching Christ the more conscience we are of every character of opposition which baffles and hinders.
But because we have not reached Him in strength and sufficiency, we too often turn to the flesh for aid. It is very distressing to the earnest toiler after Christ to be betrayed into angry and hasty retort when in any way assailed, but it is well to be able to account for this painful anomaly. Hunting is not enough without roasting; seeking and even acquiring is not sufficient.
Now when I have found the Lord Jesus for my heart—when He satisfies me, my toil is not so much that of the bee among the flowers as of the bee in the hive; it is less the zeal of the seeker than the zest of the proprietor exploring and delighting in his acquisitions; I am occupied with beholding the glory of the Lord (2Co 3:18)—His beauty—and enquiring in His temple.
Such a one is not less sensitive to incongruities and offenders, but he is so assured of his wealth and strength that he feels like a rock on which the waves exert their violence in vain. Practically I am always acquiring more of the Lord Jesus while here. I count all things but refuse that I may win Him (Phl 3:8). I am in one sense the bee among the flowers all day long; but it is a very different thing to acquire with a satisfied heart than with an unsatisfied one.
As I have acquired Him—as I know Him and the power of His resurrection—I am in fellowship with His sufferings (Phl 3:10), and I bear everything as He bore it (with confidence in the Father—NC), and can walk with His unfailing grace (which is always sufficient - 2Co 12:9—NC) and dignity through every molestation. According as I learn in practice the virtue of the Lord Jesus, so am I the more occupied with Him, and less taken up with the evil within and without, which would hinder me (from growth opportunities—NC).
—James Butler Stone (1814-1897)
MJS devotional excerpt for July 20
“Not only is my blessing in heaven, but I need the Lord Jesus’ power to enable me to rise above the sense of my infirmity down here; for this world, instead of contributing to me, makes me feel my weakness and need, and that I must rise out of it to find and enjoy my blessing.
“The very infirmity which this evil age makes me conscious of makes me draw upon the power of Christ, as the One outside it, passing into the heavens, so that I take pleasure in the very infirmity which is exposed here, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” -J.B.S.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him (always wait it out with assurance of eventual encouragement); do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass” (Psa 37:7); and the “waiting” is well displayed in the “casting all your care upon Him” (1Pe 5:7); and think not that you are “unworthy” to cast all on Him (1Co 11:27, 29: Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1Th 2:12; 2Th 1:5). It’s when we attempt to spare and save ourselves from the infirmities God uses to conform us that we short ourselves of the scales in the teachings of His ways—which are always “for good toward them that love God” (Ro 8:28).
NC
Satisfaction Guaranteed
The difference between a satisfied and unsatisfied, though earnest soul, is very marked. The latter betrays self at every opposition; he is diligent in acquiring truth, like the bee toiling all day for honey, but with this great zeal there is a peculiar sensitiveness to every obstacle, which, like the bee, he avenges by bitter retort. The sense of that great good, which will only satisfy me, stimulates me to unceasing energy to acquire it; but in proportion to my zeal, the more embittered am I with what interferes with me in my pursuit. The bee toiling indefatigably for the sweetest thing inflicts on its opponent the bitterest wound.
The desire of the heart to reach the best thing is right and perfect, but because that which satisfies has not been reached, there is no strength against the disturber, and this too often exposes the saint to the reproach of being in manner and word the very opposite to his profession and real purpose (occasionally displaying a poor witness—NC).The more we are set on reaching Christ the more conscience we are of every character of opposition which baffles and hinders.
But because we have not reached Him in strength and sufficiency, we too often turn to the flesh for aid. It is very distressing to the earnest toiler after Christ to be betrayed into angry and hasty retort when in any way assailed, but it is well to be able to account for this painful anomaly. Hunting is not enough without roasting; seeking and even acquiring is not sufficient.
Now when I have found the Lord Jesus for my heart—when He satisfies me, my toil is not so much that of the bee among the flowers as of the bee in the hive; it is less the zeal of the seeker than the zest of the proprietor exploring and delighting in his acquisitions; I am occupied with beholding the glory of the Lord (2Co 3:18)—His beauty—and enquiring in His temple.
Such a one is not less sensitive to incongruities and offenders, but he is so assured of his wealth and strength that he feels like a rock on which the waves exert their violence in vain. Practically I am always acquiring more of the Lord Jesus while here. I count all things but refuse that I may win Him (Phl 3:8). I am in one sense the bee among the flowers all day long; but it is a very different thing to acquire with a satisfied heart than with an unsatisfied one.
As I have acquired Him—as I know Him and the power of His resurrection—I am in fellowship with His sufferings (Phl 3:10), and I bear everything as He bore it (with confidence in the Father—NC), and can walk with His unfailing grace (which is always sufficient - 2Co 12:9—NC) and dignity through every molestation. According as I learn in practice the virtue of the Lord Jesus, so am I the more occupied with Him, and less taken up with the evil within and without, which would hinder me (from growth opportunities—NC).
—James Butler Stone (1814-1897)
MJS devotional excerpt for July 20
“Not only is my blessing in heaven, but I need the Lord Jesus’ power to enable me to rise above the sense of my infirmity down here; for this world, instead of contributing to me, makes me feel my weakness and need, and that I must rise out of it to find and enjoy my blessing.
“The very infirmity which this evil age makes me conscious of makes me draw upon the power of Christ, as the One outside it, passing into the heavens, so that I take pleasure in the very infirmity which is exposed here, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” -J.B.S.
