During difficult times, God often reminds us that “ALL things work for the good for them who love the Lord and are chosen by Him according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28)
SPURGEON wrote regarding Romans 8:28 “We know that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks the most. An invisible hand is always on our tiller, so that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. We can look over the raging waters and see the Spirit of Jesus treading the billows and hear His voice saying; ‘It is I, be not afraid!’ We know too, that God is always wise, and knowing this, we can be confident that there can be no mistakes, no accidents; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. We can say; ‘If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills; the worst calamity is the wisest and kindest thing that could befall me if God ordains it, because we know that all things work together for good for them that love God.’ This is a matter of fact!”
Sometimes God places us in the furnace of afflictions — suffering, illness, weakness, difficulties…Isaiah 48:10 says, “I have CHOSEN you in the furnace of affliction.” (Like Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego who were joined by Jesus in their fiery furnace and in the end their afflictions brough great glory to God.)
Psalm 34:19 declares: ”Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” It is sometimes necessary for God to put His people in the furnace of affliction so that we can mature and grow closer to Him.
In the time of the Old Testament a ”furnace” was a container/vessel for melting, and refining silver and gold (Proverbs 17:3; 27:21). The word is used figuratively in the Scriptures.
Our emotions can be a burden or a blessing. Love which takes us toward God becomes a blessing. However, if we let our caring for our families become more important than what is good, that same caring becomes a burden. We all love it when our prayers are answered or our hopeful dreams come to pass – it’s a blessing maybe earning more money, so we can also assist and bless others, but it might be a burden to know who to gift the money to, and how to use it so that we honour God with it. It’s a blessing getting a promotion, but it might become a burden to the family when one needs to spend more time in the work- place. Much depends upon our frame of mind and our attitudes.
Miller writes: “There is no burden so heavy that when lifted cheerfully with love in our hearts, will not become a blessing to us. God intends for our tasks and burdens to be our helpers. To refuse to carry a load is to miss a new opportunity for growth.”
Precious Abba Father, Thank You that You never give us more than we can carry or manage. Thank You that whatever seems too big or too heavy for us to manage right now, that YOU are our burden bearer and that when we are willing to give our burdens to You, You carry them for us with infinite love and understanding. We l love and adore You!
Myrtle Turunen