[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0810":3},"AUGUST 10\r\nWhen he had heard therefore that he was sick he abode two days still in the same place where he was (John 11:6).\r\nIn the forefront of this marvelous chapter stands the affirmation,\r\nI \"Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus,\" as if to teach\r\nus that at the very heart and foundation of all God's dealings with\r\nus, however dark and mysterious they may be, we must dare to\r\nbelieve in and assert the infinite, unmerited, and unchanging love\r\nof God. Love permits pain. The sisters never doubted that He would speed at all hazards and stay their brother from death, but \"When\r\nhe had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.\"\r\nWhat, a starting \"therefore\"! He abstained from going, not because  He did not love them, but because He did love them. His love alone kept Him back from hasting at once to the dear and stricken home.  Anything less than infinite love must have rushed instantly to the\r\nrelief of those loved and troubled hearts, to stay their grief and\r\nto have the luxury of wiping and stanching their tears and causing  sorrow and sighing to flee away. Divine love could alone hold back the impetuosity of the Savior's tenderheartedness until the Angel\r\nof Pain had done her work.\r\nWho can estimate how much we owe to suffering and pain? But for\r\n\r\nthem we should have little scope for many of the chief of the Christian life. Where were faith, without trial to test it or\r\npatience, with nothing to bear, or experience, without tribulation to develop it? --Selected\r\nLoved! then the way will not be drear;\r\nFor One we know is ever near,  Proving it to our hearts so clear That we are loved.\r\nLoved when our sky is clouded o'er, And days of sorrow press us sore;    Still we will trust Him evermore,\r\nFor we are loved.\r\nTime, that affects all things below,\r\nCan never change the love He'll show; The heart of Christ with love will flow,   And we are loved.",1783499793288]