This is the blessed life - not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time. The oriental shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep. He was always out in front. Any attack upon the sheep had to take him into account first. Now God is out in front. He is in our tomorrows, and it is tomorrow that fills people with fear. Yet God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us.
(F.B. Meyer)
How can we have rain without clouds? Our
troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will, for
they are the dark chariots of God's bright and glorious grace.... Our
God may drench us with grief, but He will refresh us with His mercy.
Our Lord's love letters often come to us in dark envelopes. His wagons
may rumble noisily across the sky, but they are loaded with benefits.
And His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits. So let
us not worry about the clouds
(Charles H. Spurgeon)
How can we have rain without clouds?
There is what is called the "cushion of the sea." Down beneath the surface that is agitated by storms, and driven about with winds, there is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When we dredge the bottom and bring up the remains of animal and vegetable life we find that they give evidence of not having been disturbed in the least, for hundreds and thousands of years. The peace of God is that eternal calm which, like the cushion of the sea, lies far too deep down to be reached by any external trouble and disturbance; and he who enters into the presence of God, becomes partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.
(Dr. A. T. Pierson)
