In the irons

Dec. 27, 2010.  This was my devotion for today.

His neck was put in irons.  (Psalm 105:18)

The irons of sorrow, and loss, the burdens carried as a youth, and the soul's struggle against sin all contribute to developing an iron tenacity and strength of purpose, as well as endurance and fortitude.  And these traits make up the indispensable foundation and framework of noble character.

Never run from suffering, but bear it silently, patiently, and submissively, with the assurance that it is God's way of instilling iron into your spiritual life.  The world is looking for iron leaders, iron armies, iron tendons, and muscles of steel.  But God is looking for iron saints, and since there in no way to impart iron into His people's moral nature except by letting them suffer, He allows them to suffer.

Are the best year's of your life slipping away while you suffer enforced monotony? Are you afflicted with the opposition, misunderstandings, and the scorn of others?  Do your afflictions seem as thick as the undergrowth confronting someone hiking through a jungle?  Then take heart!  Your time is not wasted, for God is simply putting you through His iron regimen.  Your iron crown of suffering precedes your golden crown of glory, and iron is entering your soul to make it strong and brave.  F.B.Meyer

But you will not mind the roughness, nor the steepness
of the way,
Nor the cold, unrested morning, nor the heat of the noonday;
And you will not take a turning to the left or the right,
But go straight ahead, nor tremble at the coming of the night,
For the road leads home.


I have been put in the irons and I'm still there.  It's hard being here.  It's uncomfortable, painful, tiring, emotional, etc.  But, I'm going to suffer through it.  With tears in my eyes and the pain in my heart, I am going to continue to walk ahead.  I'm not going to take any detour.  Because the road this suffering carries me on leads me home.  That is where the Lord is and He has Chandler there with Him as well as my other 2 babies that never made it to birth.  So, I'm going to keep heading home.