For I Am An Immense, Yes, An Eternal Gainer, When HE Fills Me Up With HIMSELF.

What HE takes from me, I gain most by
(Letters of William Romaine, 1714-1795)

Because I am a very dull scholar 
and the MASTER is meek and lowly, 
HE therefore bears with me and takes 
a great deal of pains to instruct me 
in my lessons. 

I think this is one great end and aim 
in all HIS dealings with HIS dear people--
HE would have them to trust HIM, 
to live on HIM, and to love HIM always.

But how can HE do this so effectually, 
as by bringing them off from trusting in, 
living on, and loving other things? 

HE would take these out of the heart, 
in order to make room for HIMSELF. 
HE is a jealous GOD. HE will not sit 
on the same throne with idols! 

If there is one idol still in the heart, 
it must come down! The more we 
cleave to it, HE will put forth the more 
of HIS strength to divorce us from it.

While HE is in much mercy doing this, 
the foolish heart thinks CHRIST is 
hurting it and intending it evil--
when HE means nothing but good, 
and is taking the best means to bestow 
good. HE is removing the shadow--
to make way for the substance. 
HE is deadening the soul 
to worldly enjoyments--
that it may be thereby more 
alive to GOD, and fitter for 
closer communion with HIM. 

Graciously is HE teaching me these 
blessed lessons. What HE takes 
from me, I gain most by. For I am 
an immense, yes, an eternal gainer, 
when HE fills up with HIMSELF the lack 
of that which HE takes away. Whatever 
brings me this blessing, I can welcome it. 

Welcome every cross which brings 
me nearer to my JESUS, and makes 
me live in closer fellowship with HIM. 
And then I can say, and feel it too, 
"Farewell, fine world! Farewell all 
your fine things! Farewell forever!" 
when they would keep me one 
moment from the enjoyment 
of my greatest good, and from 
the love of my best and eternal 
FRIEND, my JESUS. 

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Arthur Pink "Profiting from the Word" 
Chapter 2. The Decrees of God