Precious In The Sight Of The Lord

Suffering is a subject that seems to keep coming up in one way or another in the ladies' Sunday school class that I lead - the suffering of the martrys, in particular, but also the suffering that simply accompanies being alive in a body and a world that is decaying.

The verse that my title today is taken from refers to the death of the saints, but I think it could equally be applied to the suffering of the saints. Listen to Peter:

. . . though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

So, in a week that has seen one saint enter the valley of suffering, and another saint testify of God's faithfulness in the valley of suffering, I'm encouraged to know that the things I've been reading in the scriptures and teaching in my class are true. I'm encouraged to know that when it's my turn, whenever that might be, that God will be there for me too. I'm encouraged to know that these things are precious in His sight, as well.

Thanks, Tom, for giving us a small taste of the worth of our Savior tonight.



I love the LORD, because he hath heard
my voice and my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,
therefore will I call upon him
as long as I live.
The sorrows of death compassed me,
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me:
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then called I upon the name of the LORD;
O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
yea, our God is merciful.
The LORD preserveth the simple:
I was brought low, and he helped me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul;
for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death,
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
I believed, therefore have I spoken:
I was greatly afflicted:
I said in my haste, All men are liars.
What shall I render unto the LORD
for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation,
and call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD
now in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I am thy servant;
I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid:
thou hast loosed my bonds.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD
now in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the LORD’S house,
in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
Praise ye the LORD.

Whatever I ask?

Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also;
and greater works than these shall he do;
because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,
that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name,
I will do it. (John 14:12-14)

This is a bold statement Jesus makes here. And who really ~~ I mean REALLY ~~ believes it? Me? Greater works than Jesus? Anything I ask? I'm often surprised at how much unbelief there still is in the corners of my heart. But once in a while . . .

. . . once in a while I get such a vision of God and his glory that I ask for things that only God can do. And surprise, surprise! He does! It's very strange to think that he actually listens to someone like me. I don't know why on earth he would, but that's what the gospel is about. Right? Coming back into fellowship and, yes, even friendship with God so that my heart wants what he wants, and I can truly ask for anything.

Tonight one of the TEAM is lying in a hospital in Cape Verde pretty banged up. Tonight I asked for something only God can do because I think his glory is at stake if his word is hindered from going out. Could someone else be raised up? Sure. But I sure would like to see the devil snatch defeat from the jaws of victory again, just like he did at the cross.

Coincidence?

No such thing.

So, what do you do when the pastor preaches on the same text you just posted on your blog? Well, sit up and pay attention, of course.