How happy are tried Christians afterward. There is no calm more deep, than that which follows a storm. Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them afterward. It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil that once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. The Christian has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first.
But even his worst things afterward become good things. Even now he grows rich, by his losses, he rises, by his falls, he lives, by dying and becomes full, by being emptied. If then his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life then what shall the full vintage of joy be afterward in Heaven?
If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days then what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun then what must his sunlight be?
If he can sing in a dungeon then how sweetly will he sing in Heaven? If he can praise the Lord in the fires then how will he extol Him before the eternal throne?
If trials are good to him now then what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then?
Who would not bear the present light cross for the glorious crown which comes afterward?
[Charles H. Spurgeon]
✞ ✞ ✞
John 13:7 … Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
2 Corinthians 4:17 … For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2 Timothy 4:8 … Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
1 Corinthians 2:9 … But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Hebrews 12:11 … Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.❤
