Checkbook of the Bank of Faith

ALL my changes come from him who never changes. If I had grown rich, I should have seen his hand in it, and I should have praised him; let me equally see his hand if I am made poor, and let me as heartily praise him. When we go down in the world, it is of the Lord, and so we may take it patiently: when we rise in the world, it is of the Lord, and we may accept it thankfully. In any case, the Lord has done it, and it is well.

It seems that Jehovah's way is to lower those whom he means to raise, and to strip those whom he intends to clothe. If it is his way, it is the wisest and best way. If I am now enduring the bringing low I may well rejoice, because I see in it the preface to the lifting up. The more we are humbled by grace, the more we shall be exalted in glory. That impoverishment which will be overruled for our enrichment is to be welcomed.

O Lord, you have taken me down of late, and made me feel my insignificance and sin. It is not a pleasant experience, but I pray you make it a profitable one to me. Oh, that you would thus fit me to bear a greater weight of delight and of usefulness; and when I am ready for it, then grant it to me, for Christ's sake! Amen.