| The Ministry of Comfort |
Chapter 5 |
Page 5 |
But it is not thus that the friends of Christ should testify for their Master in their times of trial. The divine promises cover every experience. We are assured of the presence of Christ with us in every dark path, in every lonely way. We are clearly taught that the love of God never fails His children, that it is as true and tender in times of affliction as it is in times of gladness, that it is the same when blessings are taken away as when they are given. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. It is made plain in the Scriptures that no tribulation can harm us if we abide in Christ, that we shall be preserved blameless through the most terrible trials, if our faith in Christ does not fail. Many of life’s events are full of mystery – we cannot understand them, nor can we see how they are consistent with God’s love and wisdom. But we have the most positive assurance that some time we shall understand, and that in everything we shall see divine goodness.
With such comforts for every experience we should never be cast down, however great are our trials. We should let the divine consolations into our heart, and believe them implicitly. We cannot but feel the pangs of grief – God will never blame us for our tears, but in our deepest afflictions our faith should not fail, and the songs of joy should not be choked. People are looking upon us and, and consciously or unconsciously, watching to see what Christ can do for us in our sore stress. To witness truly for Him we must suffer victoriously, be more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
We say that we believe on Christ and in the immortal life; what does our believing do for us? Do we endure our trials in such a radiant way that those who see us are led to believe in Christ and to seek His love and help for themselves? If trouble is something committed to us as a trust we must accept it reverently and submissively, we must endure it patiently and sweetly, we must take the divine comfort and let it sustain and strengthen us, and we must pass through it songfully, unhurt, with life enriched. Thus shall our trouble honour Christ and be a blessing to others.
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