by John Woodward (Vol 1 # 19)

Sometimes God uses bereavement to bring us to the end of our own resources. When a
loved one dies or we grieve a different kind of  loss, we discover our need for
support and comfort. God designed us to experience abundant life by having our ultimate
needs met in Him. As Augustine said, "You have made us for Yourself, oh God, and the
soul of man is restless until it finds its rest in You."

This lesson is illustrated in the life of a British pastor as recorded in Charles
Trumbull’s book, _Victory in Christ_. It was back in 1874 that a young Church of England
vicar, the Rev. J.W. Webb-Peploe, with his wife, went to a seashore place with their
youngest child, then a year old. At this place, Mr. Webb-Peploe met Sir Arthur Blackwood,
and when the older man learned the calling of the younger, he held his hand tightly as he
asked, "Have you got rest ? . . . Have you rest in all your parish troubles?"

"No, I wish I had," said the young minister honestly. "I want the
same," said Sir Arthur. . . .

For three days the two met together [for prayer and study of notes from Oxford’s deeper
life conference], and then Mr. Webb-Peploe’s little child was suddenly taken away by the
Heavenly Father. The young earthly father took the little body home, and reached there
much wounded in feeling through contact with people who did not understand his
circumstances.

After the funeral, he began to prepare a sermon to preach to his people. He took for
his text, 2 Cor. 12:9 – "My grace is sufficient for thee." He spent some two
hours working on the sermon, and then he said to himself: "It is not true; I do not
find it sufficient under this heavy trouble that has befallen me." And his heart
cried out to God to make His grace sufficient for his hour of sore need and crushing
sorrow.

As he wiped away the tears from his eyes he glanced up and saw over his study table an
illuminated text-card his mother had given him. The words read, "My grace is
sufficient for Thee," the word "is" being in bold type and in a different
color from all the other words . . . He seemed to hear a voice say to him: "You fool,
how dare you ask God to ‘make’ what ‘is’ ? Believe His word. Get up and trust Him, and you
will find it true at every point." He took God at His word, he believed the fact, and
his life was revolutionized. He entered into such an experience of rest and peace, such
trust in a sufficient Saviour, as he never dreamed possible. (pp.78-80).

The prophet Habakkuk likewise testifies to the peace of God which transcends
devastating circumstances.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls–

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation. (3:17,18).

How could the prophet have such grace? The next verse shows us:

The LORD God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Our Father, we confess with David, that in Your book all of our days were written even
before our birth. Grant us wisdom to trust fully in Your grace in times of happiness as
well as times of sorrow. Thank You for Your all sufficient comfort. In Christ’s name we
pray, amen.

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John Woodward <
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Pastor, Winona Gospel Church

218 Glover Rd. Winona, Ontario, Canada. L8E 5H6