Evening Devotions (Historical Cfax Broadcast #3)

In cooperation with the Churches of Victoria, Radio CFAX presents Evening Devotions, a message of inspiration from a member of the local clergy. Our speaker this week is Dr. J. B. Rowe, well-known lecturer and former minister of First Baptist Church. I want to present a message of encouragement to you before you retire for the night.

The pathway of life is not always easy, many times is so. Behind the smile on the face, there may be great perplexity in heart and life. In the book of Psalms, there is a situation similar to this, where we read, At their wits' end, then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

With them corner, as we may call it, is where we face calamity and trial alone. For when we are well, human aid cannot sustain us. When we have come to the end of all human resources and human reasoning fails utterly to comprehend the meaning of things or associate them with a God of love.

This is wit's end corner, and it was for such a time as this that the poet wrote these words, Say not my soul from whence can God relieve my care? Remember that omnipotence has servants everywhere. His wisdom is sublime, his heart profoundly kind. God never is before his time and never is behind.

The danger lies in thinking we need God more in distress than we do in the calm, whereas we need him all the time. We're apt to be careless when all is well, so absorbed in the home, in the business, when our way is prosperous, many have failed and suffered because nothing else would bring them to God, because nothing else would take their eyes from earthly treasures and fix them in restful gaze on Jesus, and because nothing else would open our eyes to see the world's need and send us forth to serve. Adversity brings us to the God of all comfort.

From many a suffering soul the sweetest strains have flowed forth to the blessing of humanity. Many passing by wit's end corner have come forth like reborn souls, proving the truth of the words words I have learned to love for myself, and here they are, in trouble and in grief. O God, thy smile has cheered my way, and joy has budded from each horn which round my pathway lay.

The hours of pain have yielded good, which prosperous days refused, like herbs so scentless when entire, spread fragrance when they're bruised. But we can come to this conclusion that even now Jesus stands at wit's end corner to help all who pass that way. In deep unfathomable love he controls our uncontrollable circumstances, makes the crooked ways straight, and the rough places plain, and leads even by the path of trial and affliction until we rest in the loving embrace of Jesus himself.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater. He sendeth more strength when the labors increase. To added affliction he addeth his mercy, to multiplied trials his multiplied peace.

His love has no limit, his grace has no measure, his power no boundary known unto men, for out of his infinite riches in Jesus he giveth and giveth and giveth again. And so our blessed Lord said, come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Good night. You have just heard Dr. J.B. Rohl, lecturer and former minister of First Baptist Church. Dr. Rohl will continue this devotional period tomorrow evening at the same time.

Evening Devotions is presented each evening at close of day by Radio CFAX.