WHY IS THY HEART GRIEVED?

 
EVENING DEVOTION

NOVEMBER 2

 

1 Samuel 1:8

…why is thy heart grieved?

 
This was the enquiry of a kind husband to an afflicted wife.
 
Let us suppose that the question is proposed to ourselves and try and turn it to some good account.
 
“Why is thy heart grieved?”
 
Is it from the conviction of sin?
 
If so, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. 

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
 
It is from desertion, or the loss of the Lord’s presence? 

He will turn again; he will have compassion on us.
 
His covenant is true, though he may hide his face from us.
 
It is from unfruitfulness? 

He will be as the dew unto Israel, and they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.
 
He will prune the branch by affliction and cause it to bring forth more fruit.
 
It is from poverty? 

The silver and the gold are the Lord’s, entirely at his disposal; and 

  he will supply all our needs in his own time and way.
 
It is from bereavement? 

He will not leave us orphans, he will come unto us; 

  the Lord will take us up and will be better to us than ten such relatives.
 
It is from a hardness of heart?
 
He will melt us and try us.
 
He will turn his hand upon us, and purely purge away our dross and take away our sin.
 

Then let not griefs o’erwhelm thy breast,

To Jesus fly, he’ll give thee rest;

Hope thou in God, his smiles shall raise,

And fill thy soul with songs of praise.

 
James Smith