Heavenly Springs

Holding Fast The Doctrines of Grace

The Blessing of Weakness

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“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will glory all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak–then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“There is a blessing in weakness–because it nourishes dependence on God. When we are strong, or deem ourselves strong–we are really weak, since then we trust in ourselves, and do not seek Divine help. But when we are consciously weak, knowing ourselves unequal to our duties and struggles–we are strong, because then we turn to Christ, and get His strength.

Too many people think that their weakness a barrier to their usefulness; or make it an excuse for doing little with their life. Instead of this, however, if we give it to Christ–He will transform our weakness into strength. He says that His power is made perfect in weakness; that is, what is lacking in human strength–He fills and makes up with divine strength. Paul had learned this, when he said that he now gloried in his weaknesses, because on account of them–the strength of Christ rested upon him, so that, when he was weak–then he was strong–strong with Divine strength.

We need only to make sure of one thing–that we do indeed bring our weakness to Christ, and lean on Him in simple faith. This is the vital link in getting the blessing. Weakness itself is a burden; it is like chains upon our limbs. If we try to carry it alone–we shall only fail. But if we lay it on the strong Son of God–and let Him carry us and our burden, going on quietly and firmly in the way of duty–He will make our very weakness–a secret source of strength. He will not take the weakness from us–that is not His promise–but He will so fill it with His own power–that we shall be strong, more than conquerors, able to do all things through Christ, who strengthens us!

This is the blessed secret of having our burdening weakness, transformed into strength. The secret can be found only in Christ. And in Him–it can be found by every humble, trusting disciple.”

– J.R. Miller (GraceGems)

Who Has the Majority?

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“And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them”

— 2 Kings 6:16

Horses and chariots and a great host shut up the prophet in Dothan. His young servant was alarmed. How could they escape from such a body of armed men? But the prophet had eyes which his servant had not, and he could see a greater host with far superior weapons guarding him from all harm. Horses of fire are mightier than horses of flesh, and chariots of fire are far preferable to chariots of iron. Even so is it at this hour. The adversaries of truth are many, influential, learned, and crafty; and truth fares ill at their hands; and yet the man of God has no cause for trepidation. Agencies, seen and unseen, of the most potent kind, are on the side of righteousness. God has armies in ambush which will reveal themselves in the hour of need. The forces which are on the side of the good and the true far outweigh the powers of evil. Therefore, let us keep our spirits up, and walk with the gait of men who possess a cheering secret, which has lifted them above all fear. We are on the winning side. The battle may be sharp, but we know how it will end. Faith, having God with her, is in a clear majority: “They that be with us are more than they that be with them. – C.H. Spurgeon

His Word Shall Stand Forever!

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“Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
His Word shall stand forever!”

Written by Martin Luther

Lord, How Can We Know the Way?

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Thomas said to Him, “Lord, how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way” John 14:5-6

This is the first day of a new year. We are setting out on a journey of which we can have no knowledge in advance.
The road is one on which we never have gone hitherto.
We know not what any day will have for us . . .
what our duties will be,
what burdens shall be laid upon us,
what sorrows we shall have to endure,
what battles we shall have to fight.

We cannot see one step before us! How can we know the way?

As we sit in the quiet, this first evening, and ask the question, we hear an answer which is full of comfort. Jesus says to us, “I am the way!”

All we shall have to do, therefore, will be to follow Jesus. He has made a way through this dark world for us. He has gone over all the journey and opened a road for us at great cost. He went over the way Himself — we shall find His shoe-prints at every step.

He has a definite way for each one of us. Every mile of the journey He has chosen — and every place where I pitch my tent He has selected for me!

“Leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps!” 1 Peter 2:21

J.R. Miller, “Evening Thoughts” 1907

HT:  GraceGems