God's family is a sorrowing family. "I have chosen you," He says, "in the furnace
of affliction." The history of the church finds its
fittest emblem in the burning, yet unconsumed
bush, which Moses saw. Man is "born to
sorrow;" but the believer is "appointed thereunto."
If he is a "chosen vessel" — it is in the "furnace of
affliction."
If he is an adopted child of God — "chastening" is the
mark.
If he is journeying to the heavenly kingdom — his path
lies through "much tribulation."
But if his sufferings abound, much more so do His
consolations. To be comforted by God, may well reconcile
us to any sorrow with which it may please our heavenly
Father to visit us with.
In each season of affliction, to whom can we more
appropriately look — than to Jesus? He was preeminently
the man of sorrows — and acquainted with grief.
If you would tell your grief to one who knew grief
as none ever knew it;
if you would weep upon the bosom of one who wept
as none ever wept;
if you would disclose your sorrow to one who
sorrowed as none ever sorrowed;
if you would bare your wound to one who was
wounded as none ever was wounded
— then, in your affliction, turn from all creature
sympathy and succor, and look to Jesus! You could not take
. . .
your trial,
your affliction,
and your sorrow . . .
to a kinder nature,
to a tenderer bosom,
to a deeper love,
to a more powerful arm,
to a more sympathizing friend!
Go and breathe your sorrows into His heart — and He will
comfort you!
Blessed sorrow if, in the time of your bereavement,
your grief, and your solitude — you are led to Jesus,
making Him your Savior, your Friend, your Counselor and
your Shield.
Blessed loss, if it is compensated by a knowledge of
God, if you find in Him a Father now, to whom you will
transfer your ardent affections, upon whom you will repose
your bleeding heart, and in whom you will trust.
[Octavius Winslow]
Monday, April 7, 2014
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