Faith pulls the black mask from the face of trouble, and discovers the angel beneath. Faith looks up at the cloud, and sees that 'Tis big with mercy and shall break In blessings on her head."
(from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 1999, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
I recently came across this quote from the great preacher... Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon is considered by many to be the greatest English speaking preacher ever.
What a great thought though... "faith pulls the black mask from the face of trouble..." When you think about it that is exactly what "faith" does. It looks underneath and through the troubles, trials and tribulations we may encounter, to see the greater purpose that is there. When we don't see beneath the surface we are prone to worry, fear, anger, and despair. Faith looks to see the "angel beneath".
Rom 8:28 says it quite well... " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Faith believes that God is at work in our lives, even to using those trials and tribulations that confuse us, worry us and tempt us to despair. That is why James says... "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
My prayer for us all is that God would give us the courage and faith that "pulls the black mask from the face of trouble..."
Pastor Bill
