All Things Work Together For Good...

A couple months ago I signed up for Lee Dodd's daily edification, and this is what he sent out today...

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

How many whose eye traces this page, it may be whose tears bedew it, whose sighs breathe over it, whose prayers hallow it — may be wading in deep waters, may be drinking bitter cups, and are ready to exclaim, “All these things are against me!” Oh no, beloved of God — all these things are for you! Do not be afraid! Christ restrains the flood upon whose heaving bosom He serenely sits. Christ controls the waters, whose sounding waves obey the mandate of His voice. Christ’s cloudy chariot is paved with love! Then, fear not! Your Father grasps the helm of your storm-tossed vessel — and through cloud and tempest, will steer it safely to the port of endless rest!

Will it not be a real good, if your present adversity results...
in the dethronement of some worshiped idol?
in the endearing of Christ to your soul?
in the closer conformity of your mind to God’s image?
in the purification of your heart?
in your more thorough fitness for heaven?
in a revival of God’s work within you?
in stirring you up to more prayer?
in enlarging your heart to all that love the same Savior?
in stimulating you to increased activity for the conversion of sinners, for the diffusion of the truth, and for the glory of God?

Oh yes! Good, real good, permanent good must result from all the Divine dispensations in your history.
Bitter repentance, shall end in the experienced sweetness of Christ’s love.
The festering wound, shall but elicit the healing balm.
The overpowering burden, shall but bring you to the tranquil rest.
The storm, shall but quicken your footsteps to the Hiding Place.
The bitter-cold north wind and the balmy south wind, shall breathe together over your garden — and the spices shall flow out.
In a little while — oh, how soon! you shall pass away from earth to heaven, and in its clearer, serener light shall read the truth, often read with tears before, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”