June 14, 2010

• What is your attitude toward trials and sufferings? ~ Whitefield's Journals

  As some of you know, I love Christian biography, and in particular reading through the diaries and journals of the saints. One of my all-time favorite books is "George Whitefield's Journals." I first read through the Journals last year and am slowly reading through them again. I would truly love to devote all my blogging time to blogging on the Journals...Ah, but...

  To set the scene for the excerpt I'm about to bring you today . . .

  George Whitefield was sailing back across the Atlantic to England in 1738 after his first trip to the colonies, but Whitefield's boat, the Mary, had been delayed in her journey due to violent storms. At this point, they had finally come near enough to shore in Ireland to have some vital supplies brought aboard.

  As you read Whitefield's words here, would you prayerfully consider your attitudes towards the trials and the suffering you face? (Please take note that Whitefield was only twenty-three years old at the time.)

  Tuesday, Nov. 14. . . . Who is so great, so good a God, as our God?  Our hour of extremity was indeed come, for we had but half a pint of water left, and my stomach was exceedingly weak through my long abstinence, but now His Almighty Arm hath brought us salvation.
  

  
  

  Through all the changing scenes of life,
        In trouble and in joy,
  The praises of my God shall still
        My heart and tongue employ.
  
  Of His deliverance I will boast,
        Till all that are distrest
  From my example comfort take
        And charm their grief to rest.
  
  Fear Him ye saints, and you will then
        Have nothing else to fear;
  Make you His service your delight,
        Your wants shall be His care
  

  
  

  
  . . . Still greater mercies God confers on His unworthy servants.  For after our provisions were brought aboard, the wind still continued fair, and by six at night blew us to a little place on Carrigaholt IsIand, before which we cast anchor.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise His holy Name.
  
       Ever since I have been on board Mary, these words, "Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island" (which were part of the Lesson I read last at Savannah), have been continually pressed upon my heart, so that I have often mentioned it to one of my companions.  Behold they are now fulfilled.  Oh how unsearchable are Thy doings, O Lord, and Thy ways past finding out! . . .
  
       Why God dealeth thus with me, I know not now, but I shall know hereafter.  However, this I know, that this voyage has been greatly for my good; for I have had a glorious opportunity of searching the Scriptures, composing discourses, writing letters, and communing with my own heart.  We have been on board just nine weeks and three days,––a long and perilous, but profitable voyage to my soul; for I hope, it has taught me, in some measure, to endure hardships as becometh a minister of Christ. My clothes have not been off (except to change me) all the passage.  Part of the time I lay on open deck, part on a chest; and the remainder on a bedstead covered with my buffalo's skin.  These things, though little in themselves, are great in their consequences; and, whosoever despiseth small acts of bodily discipline, it is to be feared, will insensibly lose his spiritual life by little and little.  Many inward trials also God has been pleased to send me, which I believe, He has sanctified to my greater good.  I am now going on shore, to the house of a wealthy gentleman, whom God has commanded to receive me.  I may yet be exposed to many perils by land ere I see my dear friends; but His grace Who has preserved me from so many perils by water, will also be sufficient for me on dry land.  Whilst I continue on this side Eternity, I never expect to be free from trials, only to change them.  For it is necessary to heal the pride of my heart, that such should come. . .

     As for the success of my ministry whilst on board, I shall only say, much sin has been prevented, and one I hope effectually converted, who is to be my fellow-traveller to England.  Lord, if I can but be made instrumental to save one soul, I care not if I am am tossed on the ocean through my whole life.  Glory be to God on high.

  (177-179)

  

  Do you praise God through all the changing scenes of life?
  Do you see your trials (both outward and inward) as God's means to teach you to endure hardships as become a minister of Christ?
  Do you trust voyages in both calm and stormy weather as working for your good?
  Do you see God sanctifying the trials and suffering He sends you for your greater good?
  Are you willing to be tossed on the ocean of trials and suffering for the glory of God?

  Can you pray with Whitefield . . .

  Lord, I desire not to be exempted from sufferings, but to be supported under them.
  (Monday, Nov. 6, 1738)

  and agree that

  [your] extremity is God's opportunity.
  (Sunday, Oct. 15, 1738)

  Can you proclaim in faith with the apostle Paul . . .

  
  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:1-5)

  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:16-18)
  

  * * *

  Make you His service your delight,
  Your wants shall be His care

  ---

  The hymn Whitfield quoted is "Through All the Changing Scenes of Life" by Nahum Tate (1652-1715) and Nicholas Brady (1659-1726). Whitefield quoted such hymns throughout the Journals. I've written about a couple of those instances in my post Whitefield's prayers: more reminders of God's sovereign grace & care.

  Related reading:

  • II Corinthians 4. Romans 8.
  • Lent I.–Suffering and Glory
  • Our Twisted View of God
  • The art of life is the art of avoiding pain?
  • The story of Job: bad luck, God's sovereign will or ?
  • praying cancer is for the glory of God
  • some reflections about prayer
  • Bible Reading: II Corinthians 1-Blessings out of buffetings (Alan Redpath)
  • God's sovereign grace & care in Genesis (the story of Joseph)
  • Letter 11 on assurance and fighting for joy (the Lord is at hand! - Philippians 4)
  • Letter 15 on assurance and fighting for joy (Joy is a gift of God, more than a feeling)
  • Letter 16 on assurance and fighting for joy (our prayers, His wise denials and joy)
  • Shall we not drink the cup the Father has given us? (Letter 53 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  • Kingdom-Obsessed People don't keep looking in the rear view mirror at past hurts, # 5
  • All things (even bad things) work together for good...

  • 1:49 PM
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