KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
Shape
DURING THE GREAT Depression a good man lost his job, exhausted his savings, and forfeited his home…
His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his precious wife. The only thing he had left was his faith, and it was weakening. One day he was combing the neighborhood looking for work. He stopped to watch some men who were doing the stonework on a church building. One of those men was skillfully chiseling a triangular piece of rock. Not seeing a spot where it would fit, he asked, “Where are you going to put that?” The man pointed toward the top of the building and said. “See that little opening up there near the spire? That’s where it goes. I’m shaping it down here so it will fit up there. Tears filled this good man’s eyes as he walked away. “Shaping it down here so it will fit up there” gave new meaning in his difficult situation.
Some of you who are reading this are going through terribly troublesome times. You are experiencing some heart-breaking sorrow. Or perhaps you are enduring some painful physical illness. Or it is something else — something too excruciating to talk to anyone about. The blows of the hammer and chisel hurt, don’t they? Hold on to your faith. Don’t let your difficulties get you down. They are only temporary. Glory is coming. It’s the harsh blows to the outward man that often bring the greatest strength to the inner man. Keep praying. Keep believing. The Master has to do some shaping of us down here so we will fit up there (Glad Tidings of Good Things).
“For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment,
is working for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory”
2 Cor. 4:17; cf. Rom. 8:28
When you are going through a trial in your life – and you will again and again – look to God. Keep your faith! God is there to help you though the good days and the not-so-good days!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 