Rough Pebble, Polished Diamond

 

 

 

 

Use of Troubles

“When in Amsterdam, Holland, last summer,” says a traveler, “I was much interested in a visit we made to a place then famous for polishing diamonds.

 We saw the men engaged in the work. When a diamond is found, it is rough and dark like a common pebble. It takes a long time to polish it, and it is tough work. It is held employing a piece of metal close to the surface of a large wheel, which is kept going around. Fine diamond dust is put on this wheel and nothing else is hard enough to polish the diamond. This work is kept on for months and sometimes for several years before it is finished. And if a diamond is intended for a king, then the greater time and trouble are spent upon it.”

Jesus calls His people His jewels. To fit them for beautifying His crown, they must be polished like diamonds, and He uses the troubles He sends to polish His jewels

 

Encouraged and Supported

 Strengthened and upheld

‘Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.’ Isaiah 41:10

suggested further reading: Haggai 2:1–9

Are you discouraged with the great difficulties of your Christian calling? See what the Lord says—I will bless you. Though you can do nothing, yet if he helps, works in you and by you, you shall both do great things and also shall prevail. Are you afraid you shall not endure but give up at the last? How can that be when the Lord has said, I will uphold you ! Sooner the stars shall fall to the earth, than you fall from your Christian course, if the Lord guarantees to uphold you. Further, take notice of the manner in which the Lord strengthens, helps, upholds:

(i) with my right arm. This implies power (Psalm 89:13) and tenderness (Hosea 11:3; Deuteronomy 33).

(ii) of my righteousness. This shows the sure ground on which our hopes are built. The righteousness of Christ as Mediator is the fountain of all our strength, sufficiency and comfort, so long as he continues as the Righteous One. So long as his obedience unto death comes in remembrance, so long all these benefits are available and continues for and to his people. It shows that his faithfulness and truth are engaged to make these things good to waiting souls. 

 

Promoting Beliefs?

 

How do We Articulate our Beliefs

As we seek ways to promote the common good, we need to promote our beliefs

 When providing a public rationale, we face a choice between articulating that rationale in explicitly Christian language or with more neutral language. We often risk being ignored or misunderstood if we give a more robust and explicitly Christian rationale for our proposals. We cannot speak with the same convictional force or precision if we provide more neutral reasoning. For example, suppose a Christian is arguing against abortion. In that case, she might, in one instance, articulate her rationale in terms of the Christian doctrine of the image of God, but in another instance, focus on demonstrating the adverse effects of abortion on families and the broader society. Such choices are complex, and we must pray for wisdom and discernment about the best way to argue our points.

 

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