'The legend of the Golden Palace

The legend of the Golden Palace

In India they tell the legend of the Golden Palace . Sultan Ahmed was a great king. He sent Yakoob, the most skillful of his builders, with vast sums of money, to erect the most splendid palace ever seen, in the mountains.

Yakoob went to the place, and found a great famine among the people, and many of them dying. He took all his own money, and the money given him by the king, to build the palace — and gave it to feed the starving people.

Ahmed came at length to see his palace, but there was none there. He sent for Yakoob and learned his story, but was very angry and cast him into prison. "Tomorrow you shall die," he said, "for you have robbed the king!"

But that night Ahmed had a dream. There came to him one who said: "Follow me." Up from the earth they soared, until they were at heaven's gate. They entered, and lo! there stood a palace of pure gold, more brilliant than the sun, and vaster far than any palace of earth.

"What palace is this?" asked Ahmed; and his guide answered: "This is the palace of Merciful Deeds, built for you by Yakoob, the wise. Its glory shall endure when all earth's things have passed away." Then the king understood that Yakoob had done most wisely with his money.

This legend has its lesson of truth. The life thrown away on earth for Christ, spent in His cause, wasted in loving service for Him, though it seems to leave no monument, though it receives no honor in this world — is laying up treasure, honor, reward, and blessedness, in the unseen world!

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-21Back to Glimpses Through Life's Windows

Beyond the sorrow

In a lovely Swiss valley, there is a cascade which is caught by the swift winds as it pours over the edge of the rock, and scattered so that the falling stream is lost, and only a wreath of whirling spray is seen in the air.

But farther down the valley the stream gathers itself back again, and pours along in full current, in quiet peace, as if it had never been so crudely smitten by the wind.

Even the blast that scatters it for a time, and seems to destroy it altogether — really makes it all the lovelier as it whirls its crystal drops into the air. At no other point in all its course, is the stream so beautiful.

Just so, there are Christian lives which seem to be utterly destroyed by some great and sore trial. But beyond the sorrow , they move on again in calmer, fuller strength — not destroyed, not a particle of their real life wasted.

And in the trial itself, through the grace of Christ, their character shines out in richer luster and rarer splendor, than ever in the days when their hearts were fullest of joy and gladness.

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it!" Hebrews 12:10-11

Back to Glimpses Through Life's Windows