An unknown author wrote:”The hardest ingredient in suffering is often time. A short, sharp pang is easily borne, but when a sorrow drags its weary way through long, monotonous years, and day after day returns with the same dull routine of hopeless agony, the heart loses its strength, and without the grace of God, is sure to sink into the very sullenness of despair. Joseph’s was a long trial, and God often has to burn His lessons into the depths of our being by the fires of protracted pain. “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver,” but He knows how long, and like a true goldsmith He stops the fires the moment He sees His image in the glowing metal. We may not see now the outcome of the beautiful plan which God is hiding in the shadow of His hand; it yet may be long concealed; but faith may be sure that He is sitting on the throne, calmly waiting the hour when, with adoring rapture, we shall say, “All things have worked together for good.” Like Joseph, let us be more careful to learn all the lessons in the school of sorrow than we are anxious for the hour of deliverance. There is a “need-be” for every lesson, and when we are ready, our deliverance will surely come, and we shall find that we could not have stood in our place of higher service without the very things that were taught us in the ordeal. God is educating us for the future, for higher service and nobler blessings; and if we have the qualities that fit us for a throne, nothing can keep us from it when God’s time has come. Don’t steal tomorrow out of God’s hands. Give God time to speak to you and reveal His will. He is never too late; learn to wait.”

“—–when I heard these words— I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven!”–Nehemiah 1:4

Tears were not all. Nehemiah also carried the burden to God in prayer. He did this before he took any step himself for the relief of the suffering, and the advancement of his work. Compassion is Christlike; but tears alone are not enough. This is a lesson we should not forget in our compassion for others: God cares more for them than we do, and his compassion is deeper than ours; we may, therefore, be sure of interest upon His part—when we speak the names of our friends in His ear. Besides, He knows best how to help. We should take the burden to Him first—and then be ready to do whatever He may tell us to do.

The best way for us to help others—usually is to PRAY for them. Of course praying is not all we should do; Nehemiah did not stop with tears and prayers. He gave himself to the work in behalf of his people. He left his luxurious palace, and journeyed away to Jerusalem, and took earnest hold with both hands, giving all his energy and influence to the cause.

Likewise, more than tears and prayers are needed; there is something for us to DO. Many people can weep over distress, and then pray fervently for the relief that is needed—but never DO anything themselves! Nehemiah’s way is better: sympathy, prayer, work. This makes a threefold cord which cannot be broken!–J. R. Miller, 1865

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward– Mark 9:41

We often look for the big, splashy acts of service or devotion by which we can prove our love for God. But Jesus says even the smallest act of service in His name is never missed, will never go unrewarded by God.

Genuine Christian service can be as simple and practical and otherwise forgettable as giving a thirsty saint a cup of water to drink. The person themselves might forget you brought them the water; you may forget the service the moment after you render it (Matthew 25:37); but God will not forget it.

Most Christians are not required to be martyred for their faith, or to be tortured for the sake of Christ. But every Christian is required to die daily to self, to think of others and how the kingdom of God can be served in even the smallest way.

Are there widows in your church whom you could encourage with a visit or phone call? Is there a brother or sister in Christ who has some physical or financial need with which you could help? Is there a young person in your church who just needs a little attention and direction in order to overcome personal insecurities or pressures from peers?

The one who is willing to anonymously serve in the kingdom of Christ shall not lose his reward. Notice, Jesus didn’t just say he will receive a reward, but he shall not lose it! There are eternal blessings to each and every practical act of Christian service.(Author unknown)

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy– James 5:11

The end,or purpose, of the Lord for his people is full of pity and tenderness.

When we feel deeply afflicted, it is hard for us to believe that God is tenderly involved in our lives. We feel as though perhaps God has forsaken us or—worse still—is punishing us for some mistake we have made.

Job, as he was enduring the pain and sorrow of his lengthy ordeal, felt as if he had been utterly forsaken by God. Yet by faith he trusted in God, saying, “He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (23:10). He relied on God’s good purposes, in the midst of personal pain and loss and anguish.

This is a difficult exercise, because it means living entirely by faith, regardless of our present circumstances. It means trusting God and patiently waiting for him to fulfill his perfect and merciful purposes for us. It means tenaciously holding to a heavenly and eternal perspective, rather than seeking pleasure and fulfillment here and now.

But the example of Job should remind us that even when grief or turmoil hide the face of God from us, he is still working tenderly toward our sanctification and glory.

For this reason, James declares, we count them happy which endure. Those who steadfastly endure the trials God sends their way are, in the end, the most blessed people on earth. Their lives have brought glory to God, their testimony has pointed to eternity, and their faithfulness has reminded us of God’s goodness.(A Good Thing)

I have just spent nearly two hours thinking and searching for just the right thing to send by way of today’s devotion and I keep coming up empty. Those notes I’ve saved in my drafts, that seemed so good at the time, now seem hollow and worthless. The articles I’ve read by great and brilliant men, that ordinarily bless me, now make no impression on my heart. Even as I try to pray I feel that which Paul described when he said,”we know not what we should pray for”(Romans 8:26).

My heart is so heavy that I cannot think clearly. I would rather just cry than think or type. It is not discontent, nor personal problems, that trouble me. My heart is grieved as I think about the great needs of others– my loved ones, my family and friends. At this very moment many are sick or troubled in other ways that leaves them weak, fearful, and confused. Others are awaiting test results or treatment for serious ailments and they are wondering about the outcome. I can’t get them off my mind. Even when I read wise and good messages that usually would be a blessing their explanations seem almost insulting. After-all there are somethings that simply cannot be explained. So instead of sending you something that has no meaning to me, instead of trying to give you something, I’m going to ask you to do something for me—actually not for me, but for others. I’m asking you to just stop reading and spend a few minutes in prayer for these dear loved ones. God knows who they are and what they need and I believe your prayers will make a difference. God bless! –Bro. Stone