Reflect, Resonate, Reevaluate, Respond
We are apt to believe in Providence so long as we have our own way; but if things go awry, then we think, if there is a God, he is [away] in heaven, and not on earth.
~ Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887, Preacher, Social Reformer
The promise of the psalm—and both Hebrews and Christians have always read it this way—is not that we shall never stub our toes but that no injury, no illness, no accident, no distress will have evil power over us, that is, will be able to separate us from God’s purposes in us.
~ Eugene Peterson, 1932-2018, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
~~~~~~~~~ Psalm 121 ~~~~~~~~~
There are no ‘ifs’ in God’s world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety.
~ Corrie Ten Boom, 1892-1983, Writer/Speaker
Every disability conceals a vocation, if only we can find it, which will turn the necessity to glorious gain.
~ C.S. Lewis, 1898-1963, Anglican Lay Theologian
To deviate from the truth for the sake of some prospect of hope of our own can never be wise, however slight that deviation may be. It is not our judgement of the situation which can show us what is wise, but only the truth of the Word of God. Here alone lies the promise of God’s faithfulness and help. It will always be true that the wisest course for the disciple is always to abide solely by the Word of God in all simplicity.
~ Dietrick Bonhoeffer, 1906-1945, German Theologian
Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God is of a different nature altogether. It does not hate tragedy. It never denies reality. It stands in the very teeth of suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son. The cross was the proof of His love – He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.
~ Elisabeth Elliot, 1926-2015, Missionary, Author, Speaker