[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0417":3},"APRIL 17\r\nThe hand of the Lord hath wrought this (Job 12:9).\r\nSeveral years ago there was found in an African mine the most S  magnificent diamond in the world's history. It was presented to the\r\nKing of England to blaze in his crown of state. The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut It was put into the hands of an expert\r\nlapidary. And what do you suppose he did with it?\r\nHe took the gem of priceless value, and cut a notch in It Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument and lo! the superb jewel\r\nlay in his hand deft in twain. What recklessness! what wastefulness! what criminal carelessness!\r\nNot so. For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its\r\ndefects, its fines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest\r\ncare. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful\r\n\r\nlapidaries in the world.\r\nDo you say that blow was a mistake? Nay. It was the climax of the lapidary's skill. When he stuck that blow, he did the one thing\r\nwhich would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness,\r\nradiance, and jewelled splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin the superb precious stone was, in fact, its perfect redemption. For,\r\nfrom those two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which\r\nthe skilled eye of the lapidary saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.\r\nSo, sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fan upon your fife. The   blood spurts. The nerves wince. The soul cries out in agony. The blow seems to you an appalling mistake. But it is not for you are  the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most  skilled lapidary in the universe.\r\nSome day you are to blaze in the diadem of the King. As you he In\r\nHis hand now He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God\r\npermits it, and works out from its depths, blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen, and unthought of by you. --J.H.McC.\r\nIn one of George MacDonald's books occurs this fragment of\r\nconversation: \"I wonder why God made me,\" said Mrs. Faber bitterly. \"I'm sure I don't know what was the use of making me!\"\r\n\"Perhaps not much yet,\" said Dorothy, \"but then He hasn't done with you yet He is making you now, and you are quarreling with the\r\nprocess.\"\r\nIf men would but believe that they are in process of creation, and consent to be made-let the Maker handle them as the potter the  clay, yielding themselves in resplendent motion and submissive,  hopeful action with the turning of His wheel-they would ere long   find themselves able to welcome every pressure of that hand on  them, even when it was felt in pain; and sometimes not only to\r\nbelieve but to recognize the Divine end in view, the bringing of a son unto glory.\r\nNot a single shaft can hit,    Till the God of love sees fit.",1783499792051]