Saturday, December 17, 2005

God's Purposes in Suffering


Here is one of my favorite quotes by Spurgeon.


"One Sabbath morning, I preached from the text, `My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?' and though I did not say so, yet I preached my own experience. I heard my own chains clank while I tried to preach to my fellow-prisoners in the dark; but I could not tell why I was brought into such an awful horror of darkness, for which I condemned myself. On the following Monday evening, a man came to see me who bore all the marks of despair upon his countenance. His hair seemed to stand up right, and his eyes were ready to start from their sockets. He said to me, after a little parleying, "I never before, in my life, heard any man speak who seemed to know my heart. Mine is a terrible case; but on Sunday morning you painted me to the life, and preached as if you had been inside my soul." By God's grace I saved that man from suicide, and led him into gospel light and liberty; but I know I could not have done it if I had not myself been confined in the dungeon in which he lay. I tell you the story, brethren, because you sometimes may not understand your own experience, and the perfect people may condemn you for having it; but what know they of God's servants? You and I have to suffer much for the sake of the people of our charge....You may be in Egyptian darkness, and you may wonder why such a horror chills your marrow; but you may be altogether in the pursuit of your calling, and be led of the Spirit to a position of sympathy with desponding minds."

-C.H. Spurgeon-

5 Comments:

At Sunday, December 18, 2005 6:42:00 AM, Blogger no_average_girl said...

wow, that's very thought provoking!

btw, thanks for visiting my blog...i'm actually scheduled to Sign that song tonight for a church's CHRISTmas program! please pray it will be a blessing to many people and that He will bless it.

 
At Sunday, December 18, 2005 8:13:00 AM, Blogger Jonathan Moorhead said...

Great perspective to have as a minister of the Gospel.

 
At Monday, December 19, 2005 6:09:00 AM, Blogger Jada's Gigi said...

The depths, to which we are called to share in His sufferings, is often the measure by which we can share light with others.

 
At Monday, December 19, 2005 7:47:00 AM, Blogger mark pierson said...

Spurgeon is my all time favorite! Thank you for sharing that. It gives hope for those of us who go through such deep depressions. You don't know how much I needed that message.

 
At Monday, December 19, 2005 2:46:00 PM, Blogger Paul said...

Another priceless gem from Spurgeon.

BTW, I have a coworker who is a direct descendent of Spurgeon's. Remarkable resemblance!

 

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