Feb. 19
BETTER FARTHER ON
"Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more" Nah.
1:12
There is a limit to affliction. God sends it and God removes it. Do
you sigh, and say "When will the end be?" Remember that our griefs
will surely and finally end when this poor earthly life is over. Let
us quietly wait, and patiently endure the will of the Lord till He
cometh.
Meanwhile, our Father in Heaven takes away the rod when His design
in using it is fully served. When He has whipped away our folly, there
will be no more strokes. Or, if the affliction is sent for testing us,
that our graces may glorify God, it will end when the Lord has made us
bear witness to His praise. We would not wish the affliction to depart
till God has gotten out of us all the honor which we can possibly
yield Him.
There may today be "a great calm." Who knows how soon those raging
billows will give place to a sea of glass, and the sea birds sit on
the gentle waves? After long tribulation the flail is hung up, and the
wheat rests in the garner. We may, before many hours are past, be just
as happy as now we are sorrowful. It is not hard for the Lord to turn
night into day. He that sends the clouds can as easily clear the
skies. Let us be of good cheer. It is better on before. Let us sing
Hallelujah by anticipation.