His Hammer and Chisel

 

 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; 

and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? 

Jeremiah 23:29 

 

"When Christ abides in the heart, the powers of the whole being work in unity and harmony. 

--The whole individual person's reason, 

--and the affections, 

knowing how to act their parts, 

labor together unitedly. 

Like a king upon his throne, reason rules the working machinery.

It may be that much work needs to be done in your character

building, that you are a rough stone which must be squared and polished before it is fit to fill a place in God's temple. 

You need not be surprised if with hammer and chisel God cuts away your defects of character, until you are prepared to fill the place He has ready for you. 

No human being can accomplish this work. Only by God can it be done. And be assured that He will not strike one useless blow. His every blow is struck in love, ..... He knows your infirmities, and works to restore, not to destroy.

Why do we turn from divine wisdom to human wisdom? 

 He sees human beings slighting the love and mercy provided for them, and He says sadly, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40)." E.G.W.