Morning, May 3
Go To Evening Reading
“In the world ye shall have tribulation.”
John 16:33
Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly
Father, and behold him pure and holy. Dost thou know that thou art
one day to be like him? Wilt thou easily be conformed to his image?
Wilt thou not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to
purify thee? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of thy corruptions,
and make thee perfect even as thy Father which is in heaven is perfect?
Next, Christian, turn thine eye downward . Dost thou know what foes thou hast beneath thy feet? Thou wast once
a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects.
Dost thou think that Satan will let thee alone? No, he will be always
at thee, for he “goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Expect trouble, therefore, Christian, when thou lookest beneath thee.
Then look around thee . Where art thou? Thou art in an enemy’s country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not thy friend.
If it be, then thou art not God’s friend, for he who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Be assured that thou shalt find foe-men everywhere. When thou sleepest,
think that thou art resting on the battlefield; when thou walkest,
suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers
more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you.
Lastly, look within thee , into thine own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Ah! if thou hadst no devil to tempt thee, no enemies
to fight thee, and no world to ensnare thee, thou wouldst still find
in thyself evil enough to be a sore trouble to thee, for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is
with thee to help and to strengthen thee. He hath said, “I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honour thee.”