Robert Murray M'Cheyne

For the past year, I have been moving very slowly through the biography of the 19th century, Scottish pastor, Robert Murray M'Cheyne. The book, Memoir & Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, includes a short biography and a collection of M'Cheyne's letters, sermons, and published writings. Though M'Cheyne struggled with physical maladies most of his life and died just shy of 30 years of age, his memoir, letters, sermons, and devotional writings present an uncommon devotion to Jesus, timeless wisdom, and a unique expression of Christian maturity. His life and thought consistently encourage and challenge me as a young and growing pastor.

Here is a brief description of Mr. M'Cheyne from the preface to the biography:

All who knew him not only saw in him a burning and shining light, but felt also the breathing of the hidden life of God; and there is no narrative that can fully express this peculiarity of the living man. (p.vi)

What an incredible picture of living and ministering faithfully in the way of Jesus! I am so inspired by this brief description of the young pastor - he was a man who lived with vibrant passion and influence for Christ in a way so readily palpable that others would "feel" it and describe him as "breathing the hidden life of God." Though he died over 150 years ago, Mr. M'Cheyne has mentored me through his life and writing.

Over the weekend, I read these words from a letter M'Cheyne wrote to a member of his congregation, who was suffering from a physical illness. His words and questions really tie in to much of what I have been learning as I have been studying James, joy, and suffering. I think the questions he lists are worthy of ongoing, honest, prayerful consideration as we move through hardship and suffering. The title of the letter is "How cares and troubles sanctify."

All His doings are wonderful. It is, indeed, amazing how He makes use of affliction to make us feel His love more...You cannot love trouble for its own sake; bitter must always be bitter and pain must always be pain. God knows you cannot love trouble. Yet for the blessings that it brings, He can make you pray for it. Does trouble work patience in you? Does it lead you closer to the Lord Jesus - to hide deeper in the rock? Does it make you lie passive in His hand, and know no will but His? Thus does patience work experience - an experimental acquaintence with Jesus. Does it bring you a fuller taste of of His sweetness, so that you know Whom you have believed? And does this experience give you a further hope of glory - another anchor cast within the veil? And does this hope give you a heart that cannot be ashamed, because convinced that God has loved you, and will love you to the end? Ah! then you have got the improvement of trouble, if it has led you thus. (p. 278)

1 Peter 1:6-7 speaks similarly of the "improvement of trouble:"

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer many kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of more worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (NIV)

Lord Jesus, help me to embrace and rejoice in trials, hardships and suffering - not in some sadistic, masochistic, or even fatalistic way; rather, through deeply trusting Your promise that You will use adversity to purify my faith - burning away the dross and leaving behind that which is authentic, genuine, and pleasing in Your sight. Amen.