By the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

God’s great purpose in each of His works is the manifestation of His own glory, and any goal less than this would have been unworthy of Him. But how is the glory of God to be manifested in such fallen creatures as we are? Man’s eyes are not single-focused, for we continually have a view toward our own glory and too high an estimate of our own power; thus, we are not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. Therefore it is obvious we must step out of the way to make room for God to be exalted. This is the very reason He often brings His people into difficulties and trials, which He then uses to make them conscious of their own foolishness and weakness so they may be able to behold the majesty of God when He comes to deliver them.

Someone whose life is nothing but a smooth and easy path will see very little of the glory of the Lord, for he will have few opportunities for self-emptying and, as a result, will be unfit for being filled with the revelation of God. They who only navigate narrow streams and shallow creeks know little of the God of storms, but they who are “merchants on the mighty waters” see “his wonderful deeds in the deep” (Ps. 107:23 – 24). Among the huge Atlantic waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach we learn the power of Jehovah because we sense the smallness of mankind.

Therefore, thank God if your road has been rough, for this is what has given you the experience of God’s greatness and loving-kindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge not gained in any other way, for your trials have been the “cleft in the rock” where Jehovah has put you, just as He did with His servant Moses, that you too might behold His glory as it “passes by” (Ex. 33:22).

Praise God that you have not been left in the darkness and ignorance that continuing prosperity may have brought you. Instead, through the great “furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10) you have been given the capacity to behold the shining of His glory in His wonderful dealings with you.

By the pen of Jim Reimann:

Why are we so quick to complain when disaster strikes? Isaiah said, “The Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction” (Isa. 30:20), while Jeremiah said, “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” (Lam. 3:38).

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Lamentations 3:31 – 33

May we realize the good that results through suffering. And may we come to know, like the believers who have gone before us, that “out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Cor. 8:2). May we “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).

“Father of compassion” (2 Cor. 1:3), help me walk in the truth that my “light and momentary troubles are achieving for [me] an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:17).