Strength for Today
A Look at the Book
by Bob Jones
The man who trusts God completely and with unquestioning obedience accepts God’s commands will find that in every circumstance — unfortunate though it may seem at the time — there is a golden link in the chain of blessing.
Perhaps illness forces a man to leave his hometown to seek a better climate. From the standpoint of the moment, this may seem a tragedy. From the divine viewpoint, however, it may be the means of getting that man into the place of some special blessing. Bitter waters of sorrow may seem to overflow and almost drown the soul, and we may cry to God for relief. But in new reliance upon Him we can find, instead of engulfing floods, a crystal stream of abundant joy.
God instructs us not to boast ourselves of tomorrow. He says that we do not know “what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). As Christians, we do not need to know what lies ahead. Our trust is in the One Who is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20) and Who promises that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Have you suffered temporal loss? It can be the means of breaking a chain that binds the spirit. Is sorrow your lot? The darkness of sorrow can bring to the Christian’s ear the melody of songs which the laughter of the day had drowned out. Even the flames of a martyr’s death can become the wings of a fiery chariot to bear to Glory the victorious saint.
How wise it is to leave with God the responsibility of ordering our way! He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and He loves with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). His love is so great that He gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross that we, by faith in His finished work at Calvary, might have eternal life (John 3:16).
The late Dr. Bob Jones, Jr., served in many capacities during his ministry at Bob Jones University.
This article first appeared in Faith for the Family, Jan/Feb 1975. It is republished here by permission.