The Pieces Falling Together

by Don Anderson

Sometimes we feel rejected and unloved because of circumstances in our lives. Leah surely did. Life with Jacob and Rachel must have been a lonely experience for her. Certainly her children kept her busy, but she never had sole possession of her husband's heart. Then Rachel died. After that, who changed Benjamin's diapers? Who washed Joseph's face and bandaged his skinned knees? Who became the mother to Rachel's sons? Leah did. She took her sister's place, and it is next to Leah that Jacob would eventually be buried (Genesis 50:12-13). It can be argued that perhaps Leah was the wife God intended for Jacob all along. Indeed, Leah, not Rachel, was the mother of Judah, the one of the twelve from whom Christ is descended. After years of isolation and competition, God allows her to become mistress of her husband's household- the stepmother of even Joseph and Benjamin.

(Taken from Joseph by Don Anderson)

(The Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupoli) Mesa, AZ: Scriptoria. Copyright- Scriptoria Books, 2009.

            It is therefore quite evident, that all such persons are in great danger. For since the inward eye is darkened, by which they see themselves and their outward actions which are good, they attribute to themselves a high decree of perfection, and so, becoming more and more puffed up, they readily pass judgment upon others; yet they themselves need a special miracle of grace to convert them, for nothing short of that would have effect. It is more easy to convert and bring back an open sinner to the path of truth, than the man whose sin is hidden and mantled with the semblance of virtue.

p. 3

            For when the heart is thus agitated, it is always exposed to various assaults of the Enemy; and in such a state we cannot discern the right path and the sure road to holiness. Our Enemy, who hates this peace above all things, knowing it to be a mark of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Who works in it great wonders, often under the guise of a friend, tries to deprive us of it, by stirring up sundry desires within us which present themselves under the appearance of good; but their deceptive nature may be discovered by this test amongst others, that they rob us of peace of mind.

p. 52

(Smooth Stones Taken from Ancient Books: Being a collection of sentences, illustrations, and quaint sayings from that renowned Puritan, Thomas Brooks by C.H. Spurgeon) Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust. Copyright- Banner of Truth Trust, 2011.

            Satan is such a grand enemy to the joy and peace, to the salvation and consolation of the saints, that he can not but make use of all his devices and stratagems to amaze and amuse, to disturb and disquiet the peace and rest of their souls. No sooner had Jesus Christ heard that lovely voice from heaven, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased' than he is desperately assaulted by Satan in the wilderness. No sooner was Paul dropped out of heaven, after he had seen such visions of glory as were unutterable, than he was presently set upon and buffeted by Satan.

pp. 72-73

(Exploring the Mind & Heart of the Prince of Preachers: Five-thousand illustrations under one-thousand topical headings from the works of C. H. Spurgeon by C. H. Spurgeon) Oswego, IL: Fox River Press. Copyright- Fox River Press, 2005.

There are ten thousand arguments in Scripture for happiness in the Christian; but I do not know that there is one logical argument for misery. 491.60

pp. 266-7

Nothing can happen but what God ordains; and, therefore, why should we fear? 1950.127

p. 299

(The Attentive Life: Discerning God's Presence in All Things by Leighton Ford) Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Copyright- Leighton Ford, 2008.

            Psychologist Archibald Hart has written about the way in which stress (whether good stress or bad) increases our adrenaline flow. Many young leaders especially, he says, mistake the adrenaline highs they get through involvement in high-demand ministry for the presence of the Holy Spirit! Then when adrenaline runs down and leaves them utterly exhausted, they wonder what they have done wrong.

            I read that and say "ouch!" Hart's pointed words apply as much to me as to my younger friends. In fact the older I get the more my racehorse brain seems to urge me on: "Keep going! Don't stop! Remember all you have to do!" Until my aging body and mind call out, "Enough already! Who do you think you are, God? Even God rested on the seventh day!"

p. 120

Join me in worship as we sing verses 1 and 2 of "All the Way My Saviour Leads Me": "All the way my Saviour leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy Who through life has been my Guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well; All the way my Saviour leads me; Cheers each winding path I tread, Gives me grace for ev'ry trial, Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see."