"Weeping May Endure For A Night, But Joy Comes In The Morning."

First there comes bitterness
(J.R. Miller)

"Let us fix our eyes on JESUS. . . 
who for the joy set before HIM 
endured the cross, scorning its 
shame, and sat down at the right 
hand of the throne of GOD!" 
Hebrews 12:2 

Christ HIMSELF had humiliation, 
darkness, and the shame of the cross--
and then exaltation, power, and glory. 
In Christian life, the same law holds: 
First there comes bitterness--
but out of the bitterness, 
sweetness flows. 

There is the deep sorrow of penitence--
but this gives way to the blessed 
joy of forgiveness. 

First there are self-denial 
and cross-bearing--
but out of these experiences 
comes a holy peace which 
fills all the heart. 

Sorrows are to be endured--
but the good wine of comfort 
is poured into the empty cup. 

There is also a constant progression 
in the blessings of the Divine life. 
We never get to the end of them; 
indeed, we never get to the best. 
There is always something better 
yet to come. Heaven will make 
amends for all!

"Weeping may endure for a night--
but joy comes in the morning." 
Psalm 30:5 

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GraceGems have published Timothy Shay Arthur's character-building short story,
 "Poor Cousin Eunice".