You are my answer

In your presence, Lord, there is joy.
Am I missing your glory when I focus
on my pain? I am weak. You are great.
Have I forgotten what is truly important?
Why do I not feel the joy that once proved
so precious to me? If you can be glorified
in my weakness, will I be content with it? If
you become bigger through my pain, will
I give you thanks? Can I live in gratitude
despite my exhaustion? Or frustration?
Or confusion? When it's a sacrifice, will
I still praise you? How long, Lord, can I
go on like this waiting for your voice? Help
me to listen. Help me to see it. Help me
not to focus on a conclusion as my answer,
help me to focus on You. For you are my
answer. You are my hope. In your presence,
I find joy. You drew me out of my pit. If
you've done that, why do I doubt? Why does
my heart cry out in anguish and fear? You've
proven Your faithfulness time and time again.
Why is my soul downcast yet again? I look to
you! My feet are on you, my Rock. My ways
are secure. Though hidden in darkness for now.
I will rest. I will hope. I will have joy.

Testing of the Righteous

"The Lord [tests] the righteous." - Psalm 11:5

All events are under control of Providence;
consequently all the trials of our outward
life are traceable at once to the great First
Cause. All providences are doors to trial.
Even our mercies, like roses, have their
thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of
prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction.
Our mountains are not too high, and our
valleys are not too low for temptations:
trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above
and beneath, we are beset and surrounded
with dangers. Yet no shower falls unper-
mitted from the threatening cloud; every
drop has its order before it hastens to the
earth. The trials which come from God are
sent to prove and strengthen our graces,
and so at once to illustrate the power of
divine grace, to test the genuineness of
our virtues, and to add to their energy.
Our Lord is His infinte wisdo and super-
abundent love sets so high a value upon
His people's faith that He will not screen
them from those trials by which faith is
strengthened. You would never have poss-
essed the precious faith which now supports
you if the trial of your faith had not been
like fire. You are a tree that never would
rooted so well if the wind had not rocked
you to and fro, and made you take firm hold
upon the precious truths of the covenant
grace. Wordly ease is a great foe to faith; it
loosens the joints of holy valor, and snaps
the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon
never rises until the cords are cut; affliction
is the scissors to believing souls. While the
wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is
useless to humanity. It must be threshed
out of its resting place before its value can
be known. Thus it is good that Jehovah
tests the righteous, for it allows them to
grow rich towards God."

- Charles Spurgeon