[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-1118":3},"NOVEMBER 18\r\nBlessed Is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me (Luke 7.23).\r\nIt is sometimes very difficult not to be offended in Jesus Christ The offenses may be circumstantial. I find myself in a prison-\r\nhouse-a narrow sphere, a sick chamber, an unpopular position-when I had hoped for wide opportunities. Yes, but He knows what is best\r\nfor me. My environment is of His determining.\r\nHe means it to intensify my faith, to draw me Into nearer communion with Himself, to ripen my power. In the dungeon my soul should\r\nprosper.\r\nThe offense may be mental. I am haunted by perplexities, questions, which I cannot solve. I had hoped that when I gave myself to Him,\r\nmy sky would always be clear, but often it is overspread by mist and cloud. Yet let me believe that if difficulties remain, it is\r\nthat I may learn to trust Him all the more implicitly to trust and   not be afraid. Yes, and by my intellectual conflicts, I am trained to be a tutor to other storm-driven men.\r\nThe offense may be spiritual. I had fancied that within His fold I\r\nshould never feel the biting winds of temptation; but it is best as\r\nit is. His grace is magnified. My own character is matured. His\r\nHeaven is sweeter at the close of the day. There I shall look back on the turnings and trials of the way, and shall sing the praises\r\nof my Guide. So, let come what will come, His will is welcome; and\r\nI shall refuse to be offended in my loving Lord. --Alexander Smellie.\r\nBlessed is he whose faith is not offended. When all around his way\r\nThe power of God is working out deliverance For others day by day;\r\nThough in some prison drear his own soul languish, Till life itself be spent,\r\nYet still can trust his Father's love and purpose, And rest therein content.\r\n\r\nBlessed is he, who through long years of suffering, Cut off from active toil,\r\nStill shares by prayer and praise the work of others, And thus \"divides the spoil.\"\r\nBlessed are thou, O child of God, who sufferest, And canst not understand\r\nThe reason for thy pain, yet gladly leavest Thy life in His blest Hand.\r\nYea, blessed art thou whose faith is \"not offended\" By trials unexplained,\r\nBy mysteries unsolved, past understanding,    Until the goal is gained. Freda Hanbury Allen.",1783499794044]