Tried With Fire

Compare the attributes of God with what men usually trust. They trust in riches, strength, and princes. Riches are uncertain, unsatisfying, insufficient, limited, and deceitful. God is unchangeable, satisfying, all sufficient, and faithful. Strength is vain. God is omnipotent. Princes are trembling, broken reeds. God is the Rock of Ages. Will men trust in a spider's web, in a shadow, in a lie, and in nothing? Is it not reasonable to trust in the Lord? Use God's attributes to strengthen faith. I am sinful, but God is merciful. I am unworthy, but he is gracious. I abused patience, but he is love. I am unfaithful, but he is faithful, Fix on the attribute of God that most suits your condition. In him, there is more than we need, more than we desire, more than we can imagine, infinitely more! David Clarkson, Voices From the Past , Richard Rushing ed., Banner of Truth Trust, 2009, pg. 113.

Faith not only holds to the fact that God is able, but that he is willing to do what you seek. Grip two handles with your faith. Take hold that he is able, omnipotent, omniscient, and all sufficient; but also take hold that he is willing to meet your needs by his mercy. Learn to draw arguments from these attributes. When you hold on to both his power and his mercy, faith can easily draw sweet and strong assurances from these. It is true that we are prone to doubt God's willingness, but the Lord has provided for this remarkably. Where there is but one atttribute to describe God's power, there are many titles that prove his willingness: mercy, goodness, bounty, grace, love, lovingkindness, compassion, bowels of compassion, patience, and long-suffering. Get faith fixed upon this double bases and it will stand firm. God is able and willing. David Clarkson, Works , 1:174-179.  Voices from the Past , Richard Rushing, ed., Banner of Truth Trust, 2009, pg. 112.

The Lord knows those who are his. 2 Timothy 2:19 Christ's love is personal. He chooses man by name personally and distinctly. 'He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out' (John 10:3). Some have questioned how Christ can love us when he denies many temporal blessings. Outward blessings however are never a sign of love or hatred. You cannot conclude that Christ hates you because he afflicts; or that he loves you because you are blessed with temporal blessings. The smallest drop of grace is a greater sign of Christ's love than all the glory and pleasures of the earth. Otherwise, it might be said that Dives was loved, and Lazarus was hated (Luke 16). Festus would be in more favour with Christ than Paul, and even Christ himself would be unloved by the Father. Afflictions are far from being signs of Christ's hatred. Many times they are evidence of his love (Heb. 12:6011). The people of God only lack what is bad for them. God has promised to withhold no good thi...