A LOVING PURPOSE

                                          

Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.  Psalm 35:27

What is "prosperity?"

Is it threads of life weaved into a bright outcome? a full cup? ample riches? worldly applause? an unbroken circle?

No! these are often a snare; received without gratitude; dimming the soul to its nobler destinies.

Often spiritually, it rather means God taking us by the hand into the lowly Valleys of Humiliation; leading us as He did His servant Job of old; out of his sheep, oxen, camels, health, wealth, children; in order that we may be brought before Him in the dust, and say, Blessed be His holy name!

Yes! The very reverse of what is generally known in the world as Prosperity forms the background on which the Rainbow of Promise is seen.

God smiles on us through these and teardrops of sorrows! He loves us too well. He has too great an interest in our spiritual welfare to permit us to live on in what is misnamed "Prosperity." 

When He sees duties languidly performed, or coldly neglected, the heart deadened, and love to Himself congealed by the absorbing power of the present world — He puts a thorn in our nest to drive us to the wing — and prevent our being grovelers forever!

I may not be able now to understand the mystery of these dealings. I may be asking through the tears, "Why this unkind arrest on my earthly happiness? Why so premature a lopping of my boughs of promise? Why such a speedy withering of my most cherished gourd?"

The answer is plain. It is your soul's prosperity which He has in view. Believe it.....your true Ebenezers will yet be raised close by your Zarephaths.

~John MacDuff~