May 30
HOLY FORESIGHT
"Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man
sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of
Heaven" Matt. 26:64
Ah, Lord, thou wast in thy lowest state when before thy persecutors
thou wast made to stand like a criminal! Yet the eyes of thy faith
could see beyond thy present humiliation into thy future glory. What
words are these, "Nevertheless -- hereafter"! I would imitate thy holy
foresight, and in the midst of poverty, or sickness, or slander, I
also would say, "Nevertheless -- hereafter." Instead of weakness, thou
hast all power; instead of shame, all glory; instead of derision, all
worship. Thy cross has not dimmed the splendor of thy crown, neither
has the spittle marred the beauty of thy face. Say, rather, thou art
the more exalted and honored because of thy sufferings.
So, Lord, I also would take courage from the "hereafter." I would
forget the present tribulation in the future triumph. Help thou me by
directing me into thy Father's love and into thine own patience, so
that when I am derided for thy name I may not be staggered, but think
more and more of the hereafter, and, therefore, all the less of today.
I shall be with thee soon and behold thy glory. Wherefore, I am not
ashamed, but say in my inmost soul, "Nevertheless -- hereafter."