He allots grace in the measure needed

Yesterday morning we received the sad news that the father of one of Julia's homeschool friends had passed away suddenly. It is a terrible time for the family, especially because the dad was not ill in any way that anyone knew--it was a TOTAL shock, and there is much bewilderment and sorting out of feelings.

I was reading ch. 1 of Elisabeth Elliot's book Secure in the Everlasting Arms last night and was comforted with these words:

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea-billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"

That word 'lot' is not one we often use in quite that way. It means whatever happens, that which comes by the will of the powers that rule our destiny, a share, a portion, an assignment. When we draw lots, no human power controls which will be ours.

But Christians know that we are not at the mercy of chance. A loving hand, a great wisdom, and an omnipotent power rule our destiny. The government of all is on the mighty shoulders of Christ Himself, who sees all long before it happens. All is intended for our blessing. How different things look to us! Yet think of the faith of Horatio Spafford, suffering the loss of all his children, writing 'Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'It is well....'

To love God is to love His will. That which He gives we receive. That which He takes we relinquish, 'as glad to know ourselves in the hands of God as we should be sorry to be in our own,' as Fenelon said. With what astonishment--of gladness or sadness--we receive some things! With what reluctance or delight we relinquish others! Yet we find that we can bear our own sufferings, while of others' sufferings we say, 'That I could never bear!'

God shields us from most of the things we fear, but when He chooses not to shield us, He unfailingly allots grace in the measure needed. It is for us to choose to receive or refuse it. Our joy or our misery will depend on that choice." (p. 18-19)