Wednesday, June 11, 2008

EVEN TROUBLES BRING BLESSINGS!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Benjamin B. Warfield was a renowned theologian who taught at Princeton Seminary for almost 34 years until his death in 1921. Many people are aware of his famous books, like The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. But what most people don't know is that in 1876, at the age of twenty-five, he married Annie Kinkead and they took a honeymoon to Germany. During a fierce storm Annie was struck by lightning and permanently paralyzed. After caring for her for thirty-nine years Warfield laid her to rest in 1915. Because of her extraordinary needs, Warfield seldom left his home for more than two hours at a time during all those years of marriage. (Great Leaders of the Christian Church)

But when Warfield came to write his thoughts on Romans 8:28, he said,

All that comes to you is under His controlling hand. The secondary thought is the favour of God to those that love Him. If He governs all, then nothing but good can befall those to whom He would do good.... Though we are too weak to help ourselves and too blind to ask for what we need, and can only groan in unformed longings, He is the author in us of these very longings...and He will so govern all things that we shall reap only good from all that befalls us. (Faith and Life, 204)

[bolding is mine]