Dec. 19

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

AFFLICTIONS, BUT NO BROKEN BONES

   "He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken" Ps. 34:20

   This promise by the context is referred to the much afflicted righteous
   man: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord
   delivereth him out of them all." He may suffer skin-wounds and
   flesh-wounds, but no great harm shall be done, "not a bone of him shall
   be broken."

   This is great comfort to a tried child of God, and comfort which I dare
   accept; for up to this hour I have suffered no real damage from my many
   afflictions. I have neither lost faith, nor hope, nor love. Nay, so far
   from losing these bones of character, they have gained in strength and
   energy. I have more knowledge, more experience, more patience, more
   stability than I had before the trials came. Not even my joy has been
   destroyed. Many a bruise have I had by sickness, bereavement,
   depression, slander, and opposition; but the bruise has healed, and
   there has been no compound fracture of a bone, not even a simple one.
   The reason is not far to seek. If we trust in the Lord, He keeps all
   our bones; and if He keeps them, we may be sure that not one of them is
   broken.

   Come, my heart, do not sorrow. Thou art smarting, but there are no
   bones broken. Endure hardness, and bid defiance to fear.