(John Angell James, "Afflictions")
The Christian looks to the end of afflictions!
The end may sometimes come in this world.
In reference to this, the utmost that
the believer can be sure of, is that
afflictions will end in GOD'S time.
They may last for his whole life.
The sickness which afflicts
his body may be unto death!
The trial which beclouds
and distresses his spirits--
may be his lot for life!
The loss which he has
sustained may be irreparable--
and he may go down
to the grave in poverty.
But on the other hand, they may not!
GOD may be bringing him
to bring him out into a wealthy place."
(Psalm 66: 12b)
The Christian leaves this in
the hand of GOD, and endeavors
to maintain a hope which shall
save him from despondency--
the hand of GOD, and endeavors
to maintain a hope which shall
save him from despondency--
checked at the same time by
a reverence that guards him
from unwarranted presumption.
a reverence that guards him
from unwarranted presumption.
But if the end of the trial
does not come in this world--
it will come in the next world--
when they will not only forever cease,
but leave an eternal blessing behind!
"I reckon that the sufferings of
the present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us!" (Romans 8:18)
the present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us!" (Romans 8:18)
a moment, works for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory!"
(2 Corinthians 4:17)
Four things are set forth in these passages:
1. Our afflictions will have a termination!
This is sweet. They are to end--
they are not to last forever!
The last pang, and groan,
and tear are at hand--
and how near the Christian
never knows!
2. Our afflictions are not to end
like those of the brute creation--
in the grave merely--
but in Heaven!
The last pang, and groan, and
tear are to usher in that blessed
state of which it is so beautifully said,
the throne shall feed them, and shall
lead them unto living fountains of waters--
and GOD HIMSELF shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes!" (Revelation 7:17)
Heaven shall terminate all
the afflictions of the righteous!
3. Heaven is so glorious, that the first
view of its scenes, and the first
moment of its enjoyment--
shall make amends for the longest
life of the most protracted and
intense sufferings!
4. The sufferings of our earthly pilgrimage--
will enhance and increase the felicities of Heaven!
Their submissive endurance;
the graces which they call into exercise;
the sanctification which they promote;
the heavenly temper which they cultivate--
will be the means of ripening the spirit,
and making it fit for its eternal inheritance!
Every tear that is shed,
every groan that is heaved,
every loss that is sustained,
every moment of suffering that is endured,
every disappointment that is experienced,
which is borne with patience, with
resignation, with unwearied holiness--
will not only be followed with millions
of ages of ineffable felicity--
but will prepare the soul for its enjoyment,
and add something to its weight and its luster!
~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published Archibald Brown's superb sermon,
"Will HE Come to the Feast?"
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