Hebrews 12:10 tells us that God chastens us “for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness”. The writer then adds, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness–“(Hebrews 12:11). Pain is never pleasant but it can be profitable, and when we see God’s purpose for it we can be at peace. We can even rejoice is it as Paul did and testify that we are better with it than without it, as the Psalmist did (Psalm 119:67, 71, 75).

J. R. Miller wrote:”Prosperity has never enriched the world, as adversity has done. The best thoughts, the richest lessons, the sweetest songs which have come down to us from the past–have not come from the minds and hearts of those who have known no privation, no suffering, no adversity. They are the fruit of pain, of weakness, of trial.

Men have cried out for emancipation from the bondage of hardship, of sickness, of infirmity, of poverty–not realizing that the very trial which seemed to be hindering them in their career–was making whatever was noble, beautiful, and blessed in their life. The cost of all truly helpful and holy living, is pain!

We must not forget that redemption and Heaven come to be ours, only through the bitter sufferings and cross of the Son of God.

In all of life, the sweetest comforts and the richest blessings, come to us at the cost of suffering and tears. The fruit of earth’s “thorns” seems bitter to the taste, but it is the wholesome food of human souls.”

We could sum it all up by saying that hurt not only can make us helpful and holy, it actually leads to happiness–the fruit of holiness. Never forget, whatever God sends or allows to come into the life of His children is “for our profit”.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.–Eph. 6:11

Our experience confirms the suggestion of this passage—that life is basically a struggle. Life never conforms to the rosy idealism of our dreams or to the romanticism of our songs. The explanation of this struggle lies deeper than we ordinarily think. The common view of our struggle has been that we are engaged in conflict against flesh and blood, against other men and women. But Paul says the battle is not against flesh and blood; it lies deeper than that. The basic problem is that this is a battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan and that people themselves are the battlefield. The battle is visible not only in the wars, revolutions, and crime waves that fill our newspapers, but it is also seen in the inner tensions and fears of individual lives, in the neurotic problems and mental illnesses that afflict us today, in family fights and church struggles. It is even visible in nature, where all of life competes in a ruthless, deadly struggle to survive.

The whole race has fallen under the control of satanic forces, which Paul calls, the  rulers of the darkness of this world (6:12)—a most significant phrase. The picture of the Bible from beginning to end is that all human beings without Christ, without exception, regardless of how clever or educated or cultured they may be, are the helpless victims of satanic control. Under the control of satanic forces human beings are uncomfortable and unhappy but also completely unable to escape by any wisdom or power of their own.

But the good news is that some have been set free through the coming of that stronger one, Jesus Himself, who came, as John tells us to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8b). Through Him deliverance is obtained. Through the amazing mystery of the cross and the resurrection, Jesus has broken the power and bondage of Satan over human lives. Those who individually receive and acknowledge this are set free to live in the freedom and liberty of the children of God.

They are not set free to live unto themselves. They are set free in order to battle. That is the call that comes to all Christians. We are not set free in order to enjoy ourselves. We are set free to do battle, to engage in the fight, to overcome in our own lives, and to become the channels by which others are set free. How do you do this? Paul’s answer is in one phrase: Put on the whole armor of God. Full provision has been made that you might win in this battle. This is the amazing thing we must learn. God has made full provision for us to fight these forces that hold the world in their grip.–Ray Stedman

How do you see yourself? It doesn’t matter how others might describe you; perhaps they even consider you among the great, the mighty, the successful. But are you broken-hearted and helpless before the Lord? If so, then prepare for a strength infusion from the most High Himself.–Copied

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.–Romans 8:26

I’ll never forget the things I experienced in the first year of my Christian life. Back then we had actual “prayer meetings”. The men would gather in one room and the ladies in another, and after taking the prayer request we would choose a prayer partner and go off into another room to pray. During the week we would keep in touch with our prayer partner and pray for each other and for the church. I have had several great partners in prayer, but I never had one that I could call perfect. Then I discovered Romans 8:26-27. I’ve had the perfect prayer partner ever since.

Prayer is not as simple and easy as we sometimes think. There are times when I don’t even want to pray and I need encouragement. Then there are times when we don’t even know “what we should pray for as we ought”. It is then that we see our need for a Perfect Prayer Partner. And, we find Him in the person of the Holy Spirit. And no other can take His place.

The Holy Spirit not only encourages us to pray, and enlightens us as to what we should pray, He also engages in “intercession for us“. When the burden is so heavy and our heart is so full that we can’t even put our feeling into words, it is then that our Perfect Prayer Partner, “with groanings which cannot be uttered–maketh intercession for us”, and He does so “according to the will of God”(Rom. 8:27). So when you go into your prayer closet and shut the door, you are not really alone. Your Perfect Prayer Partner is right there with you! The fact that God Himself is with you, and interceding for you, should motivate you to spend more time on your knees— it will perhaps be an experience that you will never forget.

Over the years I have known a great many servants of Christ who have labored faithfully without any fanfare or rewards from others. It was in the power of others to bless them, but the blessing never came. It was not until they died that tokens of appreciation were given. This shouldn’t be! Listen to this challenge from the pen of J. R. Miller:

“There is a great host of weary men and women, toiling on through life, toward the grave–who most sorely need, just now, the cheering words and helpful ministries which we can give.

You are gathering incense of affection to scatter about their coffins; but why should it not be scattered in the hard paths on which their feet today are treading?

The kind words are lying in men’s hearts unexpressed, trembling on their tongues unvoiced–which will be spoken by and by, when these weary ones are sleeping in their graves. But why should they not be spoken now, when they are needed so much, and when the kind words would give such cheer and hope?

The flowers are growing to strew on their graves; but why not cut them now to brighten their dreary lives and dark paths.
 
Many a godly man goes plodding through life, living obscurely–yet living a true Christian life, doing many a quiet kindness to his neighbors and friends–yet seldom hearing a word of appreciation or praise. The vases, filled with the incense of affection, are kept sealed. The flowers are not cut from the stems. One day you stand by his coffin, and there are enough kind things said to have brightened every hour of his life–if only they had been said at the right time. There are enough flowers piled upon his casket, to have kept his chamber filled with fragrance all through his years–if only they had been sent day by day. How his heavy heart would have thanked God, if, in the midst of his toils, burdens, and struggles–he could have heard a few of the words of affection and appreciation which are now wasted on ears that hear them not! How much happier he would have been in his weary days–if he had known how many kind friends he had!

But, poor man! he had to die before the appreciation could express itself. Then he could not hear the gentle words spoken over his cold lifeless body. The love blossomed out too late!”