THE CONTRAST

 

NOVEMBER 14

 

THE CONTRAST

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this 

  present time are not worthy to be compared 

  with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

                                              Romans 8:18
 
Look at many of the Lord's people now;
with sickly bodies, they groan, being burdened.
 
With pressing needs,

   they sigh for relief.
 
Tormented by inbred sin,

   they weep and long to be free.
 
Harassed by Satan, 

   they pant for deliverance.
 
They hunger, they thirst, they suffer, 

  they mourn, they pray, they doubt, 

     they fear, they hope, they strive, 

         they struggle.
They pass through great tribulation. 

Every day is more or less a day of trial; and 

  what with family troubles, business troubles, 

    church troubles, and soul troubles,

 they are ready to exclaim,

 "I loathe it! I loathe it! I would not live always!"
 
When you have taken a full view of them
  as sufferers,
   as sojourners,
    as cross-bearers,
passing over the howling desert;
then look up and see what and 

  where they are now.

 
"They before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

 
How is it possible for the contrast 

  to be more complete, 

  between the present and future state, 

  of many of the Lord's poor tried people? 

Now, the eye of carnal reason would say,

  "They are the most miserable of all men." 

Then, every 0ne will acknowledge that 

  they are the most happy, 

    most blessed of all men!

Look away then, my brother, 

  from all that tries thee, and pains thee,

  and grieves thy heart; and 

  look forward to the period when thou shalt 

    be before God's throne, 

   the companion of the Lamb and

    his glorified and happy company.
 
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

  worketh for us a far more exceeding 

   and eternal weight of glory." 

                                2 Corinthians 4:16-18

JAMES SMITH 1869