"That thou may'st seek thy all in Me"

I've been thinking back over this past year, over what experiences, lessons, trials, and joys God has graciously provided. It has not been an easy year. In fact, I can say this is most certainly the most difficult and most rewarding year of my life yet.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3

I've fairly been living in James and Psalms this whole last year. Verses are copied out on Post-It notes and stuck above my desk, on my window, around my mirror, and thumb-tacked to my bulletin board.

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:36-37

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:71-72

But one particular encouragement, a quote written out by a friend many years ago, has become sort of my theme for the year. It is well worth the sharing, and I am very glad Mr. John Newton wrote it down:

I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He'd answer my request,
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yeamore, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

'Lord, why is this?' I trembling cried,
'Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?'
'Tis in this way,' the Lord replied,
'I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may'st seek thy all in Me.'

Ah, how good God is - to break the legs of His lambs that they may not wander, and to love and care for them that they may delight in Him always.