God’s love, which is stronger than death, is causing me to continue walking the path of the mission the Lord has given me (John 6:1–15). “At that very time some Pharisees came and said to Him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill You.’ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, “I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.” In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:31–35). ...
J. I. Packer on the Surprise Blessing of Trials MARCH 28, 2022 | JEREMY LINNEMAN © Lightstock SHARE TWEET EMAIL Advertise on TGC MORE BY JEREMY LINNEMAN How COVID Has Affected Our Friendships—and What to Do About It We’re Hurt, and Healed, in Community Want Real Self-Help? Cultivate Humility with Andrew Murray Why Prayer Often Feels Impossible If God Can Show Up in Bethlehem . . . I remember where I was when I read these words by the late theologian J. I. Packer: “A certain type of ministry of the gospel is cruel . It doesn’t mean to be, but it is.” What is the cruel sort of ministry Packer had in mind? His answer would haunt me. I was going through a particularly hard season of depression and had been suffering from chronic illness. It was a season of trial and discouragement that had lasted far too long—or so I thought. I’d prayed. I’d talked with wise counselors. I’d prayed more. But this difficult season was unrelenting, and my spirit wasn’t lif...