JANUARY 18TH, 1931

JANUARY 18TH, 1931

MY DEAR —, — ... It is good to recognise the hand of God in all these touches. Our bodies are a special means of His discipline to us. They lend themselves to the purposes of His love in this way. I do not find that I naturally like humiliation, but I have, in a small way, learned that when ^[p. 188] God humbles He always has behind it the thought of exaltation. There is something hindering our going up, like the weight attached to a balloon, but discipline cuts it loose, that the heavenward attraction may be more powerfully felt and responded to. But much grace is needed really to profit even by God’s disciplinary ways. I have often felt humbled by the consciousness that I have gained comparatively little from even prolonged chastening. But one has to come back to the necessity of leaving oneself wholly in God’s hands, and it is calming to be there when we have no thoughts of our own to make us restless.

I trust the Lord’s hand is over things at —, and that the dear brethren there may be encouraged in Him, and knit together in mutual confidence. If they honour Him He will honour them, and on that line there are no regrets....

Yours affectionately in the Lord Jesus,

January 18th, 1931.