2. Devotional: Bewildering

Bewildering

by H. A. Ironside

Then I shall know just as I also am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) 

    Life is full of mysteries. Again and again the bewildered spirit asks “Why?” And to many of our questions there is no answer. It has not pleased God to explain all His ways with us here and now. Elihu said to Job, “He does not give an accounting of any of His words” (Job 33:13). But faith counts on His infinite love and wisdom, and knows that some day all will be made plain, and in the light of His presence we shall get the answers to all the questions that have perplexed us. Then we shall know the hidden reasons for every trial and sorrow, and we shall see that there was a “needs be” for all of His dealings with us. We may be sure that when we see everything from the divine standpoint we shall be able to praise Him for all that now seems so bewildering.

My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.
                                                   - Selected

22. Devotional: Unanswered Yet?

Unanswered Yet?

by H. A. Ironside

Then said he unto me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words”. (Daniel 10:12)

    A great mystery is unfolded here in regard to prayer. Daniel had been praying “three full weeks” about a certain matter, and when finally the answer came, he was told that at the beginning of his supplication God had heard, but an angel from Heaven had been twenty-one days fighting his way through the evil hosts of Satan in order to reach him. The prince of the kingdom of Persia referred to in verse 13 was one of these wicked spirits evidently seeking to hinder God’s plan. This should throw light on many delayed answers. God has not been indifferent, but a conflict is going on in the heavenlies (Ephesians 6:12), because of which there seems to be delay, but God’s purpose is sure and His plan will be carried out.

1. Unanswered yet? The pray'r your lips have pleaded 

    In agony of heart these many years? 

    Does faith begin to fail, is hope departing, 

    And think you all in vain those falling tears? 

    Say not the Father hath not heard your pray'r; 

    You shall have your desire, sometime, somewhere.

2. Unanswered yet? Tho' when you first presented 

    This one petition at the Father's throne, 

    It seemed you could not wait the time of asking, 

    So urgent was your heart to make it known. 

    Tho' years have passed since then, do not despair; 

    The Lord will answer you, sometime, somewhere.  

3. Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say ungranted; 

    Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done; 

    The work began when first your pray'r was uttered, 

    And God will finish what He has begun. 

    If you will keep the incense burning there, 

    His glory you shall see, sometime, somewhere, 

    His glory you shall see, sometime, somewhere.  

4. Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered; 

    Her feet were firmly planted on the Rock; 

    Amid the wildest storm pray'r stands undaunted, 

    Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock; 

    She knows Omnipotence has heard her pray'r, 

    And cries "It shall be done, sometime, somewhere."

                                                                                       - F. G. Burroughs

20. Devotional: Trust Him Anyway

Trust Him Anyway

by H. A. Ironside

He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods.  (Daniel 8:17-18) 

    There is something very fine about the confidence expressed by these three young Hebrews. It was not necessary for God to deliver them from the furnace, if it were not His will. They could trust Him anyway. If He did not quench the flame He would give grace to endure, and they knew that in another world all would be appraised at its true value. It is a great lesson we all need to learn.  

A scoffing world is looking on,
The furnace glows with furious heat;
The test is real, the foe is near,
Waiting to witness my retreat.

Hosts of evil gather round me.
The Son of God seems lost to view.
Oh, for faith to meet the crisis;
Oh, for the courage to go through!

What, this sudden sweet empow’ring?
Whence, this strange, exultant cry?
If my God comes not, I’ll trust Him,
Though to trust Him means to die!

                                                        —Margaret Denison Armstrong

1. Link: Daily Devotionals

1. Streams In The Desert by L. B. Cowman
     http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/streams-in-the-desert/archive/

2. Faith's Checkbook by C. H. Spurgeon
     https://archive.org/details/thechequebookoft00purguoft

3. Morning By Morning by C. H. Spurgeon
     https://archive.org/details/morningbymornin00spur

4. Evening By Evening by C. H. Spurgeon
     https://archive.org/details/eveningbyevening00spur

5. Days Of Heaven Upon Earth by A. B. Simpson
     https://archive.org/details/daysofheavenupon00simp

6. Daily Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
     http://www.austin-sparks.net/english/openwindows/003109.html

7. Day By Day With T. Austin-Sparks
     https://bookministry.wordpress.com

8. My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers
     http://utmost.org

9. None But The Hungry Heart by Miles J. Stanford
     http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/

10. Daily Strength For Daily Needs by Mary Wilder Tileston
       https://archive.org/details/dailystrength00tile

11. J. R. Miller's Year Book
       https://archive.org/details/drmillersyearbo00mill

12. The Continual Burnt Offering by H. A. Ironside
       http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/series/6104

13. Truths To Live By, One Day At A Time by William MacDonald
       http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/series/6233

14. Devotionals by David Wilkerson
       http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/view/devotions