O Blessed Cross!

God lives and works today, but do our lives bear witness to his reality? Perhaps we can testify with gratitude about how we've experienced his love and strength at certain times in our lives. But how did we react when he laid a burden or a cross upon us? If you long to be able to testify to his reality, especially in the times of suffering, today's meditation by Basilea Schlink has some important advice. During times in my life when God gave me a heavy cross to bear, I made a precious discovery.

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5, verse 3, Therefore we rejoice in our sufferings. And so I began to act upon his words, and started to praise God for my suffering. And I experienced, whoever can praise the cross that has been laid upon him is like a king.

For then, the cross for which he has such fear will have no more power over him. So let's begin together to sing about our suffering and cross. I praise the blessing, their worth confessing, The paths of pain and darkest night.

I'll suffer gladly if that prepares me For endless glorious life above. Pain disregarding, see it's rewarding, This be my song forevermore. Yes, our cross is really worthy of our praise because it accomplishes what nothing else can.

It purifies us in that first of all it brings to light our true nature. When we are bowed under our cross through difficult days of suffering and distress, Our secret previously unrecognized sins emerge to the surface. For example, if we have to suffer injustice, All of a sudden we may discover how self-righteous we are and how quickly we fight back.

Or when a heavy burden has been laid upon us, we may become filled with self-pity and rebellion. Yes, the cross is a blessing. It brings us true self-knowledge while there's still time to repent and mend our ways Before we have to stand before the judgment seat of God.

Today it's still possible to look to Jesus who is crucified for us. Today we can still claim his redeeming blood. So let us pray.

Thank you Jesus for the cross you've given me, For it purifies me and prepares me for heaven. Father, I thank you in midst of my pain, For you turn suffering and grief into gain. It is in love that you discipline me, Goodness and blessing the ending will be.

On our little land of Canaan we have a Canaan rule which we try to live out. Take up your cross daily, you need it. It will not crush you to death.

God has sent it to you in love to bring you something good. It will bring you glory and carry you up to heaven. You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan.

To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address.

God bless you.