24. THE CHRISTIANS SORROW
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"God had one Son on earth without sin—but never a son on earth without affliction." This has long been regarded as one of the best sayings of Augustine. It is very true and quite coincides with Scripture. It is fully borne out by that saying of the prophet David: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." Blessed Paul says, "Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." And sixty years after His ascension to glory, Jesus Himself said: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."
All this, when rightly considered, is seen to be fair and fitting. For if the Savior suffered, it is right the saved should suffer also. It is a great thing to be conformed to Christ in temper or suffering. "If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him." "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church." As Christ's sufferings prepared Him to be the Captain of our salvation and our sympathizing Friend, so our sufferings make us mindful of the sorrows of our Lord and increase our sympathy with Him in all His undertaking for us.
There is a "need be" for all the trials of God's children on earth. Their pangs promote their purity. God puts them into the furnace that He may consume their dross, take away all their sin, and bring them out as pure gold. "He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." He has no pleasure in seeing His chosen suffer, but He delights to see His image on their hearts perfected. He chastens them for their profit, that they may be partakers of His holiness. He is a wise and good Father, and all His people on earth are more or less wayward. Blessed be His name. He will not cease to chastise them until their wills submit to His and rejoice in tribulation. Thereby the Lord is honored and their salvation promoted.
Future glory will be somewhat in proportion to what Christ's people suffer for Him here. The crown of martyrdom is exceedingly bright. The glorious throng which John saw was made up of those who came out of great tribulation and had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. How sweet will be rest after turmoil, peace after war, a quiet home after a long and perilous journey.
Where is the experienced minister who has not often seen one year of suffering, do more for the glory of Christ than five years of service?
N. D. was a small man whose speech sounded very unusual. He was not popular. He lived in considerable retirement. He had but little worldly goods, yet no one accused him of stinginess. For one in his circumstances he gave liberally. He was a great student of the Word of God. He saw in men much that he could not approve. Nor did he keep silence at such times. He was very punctual in attending the house of God. He maintained family worship with great regularity. No one saw any flaws in his morals. But he could not express himself well on any subject. His manners were stiff and awkward.
When he had been a professor of religion for about twenty-five years, he became a great sufferer. A complication of diseases came upon him. No such case of bodily disease had ever been seen in his neighborhood. He could not sleep for as much as six weeks at a time. He was in constant and excruciating pain. No one could see him without feeling great pain at his bodily distress. He wore away rapidly. He could not walk at all. He could not turn himself in bed. In this sharp trial his piety shined forth with great clearness. Not a murmur escaped his lips. He showed no impatience. His meekness and mildness were very striking. He was full of thankfulness to God and man. Of the least favor done him he would make some respectful and grateful mention. His whole character seemed to be changed.
Yet he did not profess to be recently converted. On the contrary, he still believed that he had met with a saving change of heart long before. He spoke with delight of many pleasant days he had in youth when alone or when publicly worshiping God. He seemed to remember with accuracy and to quote with aptness considerable portions of God's Word. He was a wonder unto many. Yes, he was a wonder to himself. He expressed his views as candidly as ever, but with the greatest gentleness and charitableness. His case was much spoken of. Many a Christian went miles to see him. The feeling of everyone seemed to be much like that of the prophet when he saw the bush in the midst of the flame unconsumed, "I will turn aside and see this great sight." And, truly, it was good to see how grace could bear one up, and bear him on, and bear him through, when his body was wracked with exquisite tortures.
N. D. lived several years after this season of violent suffering, but he never ceased to be an invalid, nearly helpless, and often full of pain. His faith seemed to grow exceedingly. His end was peace. This little narrative should teach us—
1. Not to judge of character by mere voice or manners. Some godly men have no manners at all—and some very godly men have very bad manners.
2. Yet we ought to study to commend to others our religion by those ways which are pleasant, lovely, and of good report. Piety is no foe to the civilities of life.
3. No man knows what he can do and what he can bear—until he is tried and receives new supplies of grace. N. D. considered himself a wonder of mercy.
4. Let no man judge his brother. "The weak brother shall be held up, for God is able to make him stand." He who is most humble is best prepared to stand severe tests.
5. We greatly err when we lightly esteem the least of Christ's disciples, the poorest of the saints. On trial they may quite outshine us.
6. It is certain that neither N. D. nor any other godly man who has left this world regrets any sufferings he ever endured on earth. All is well that ends in glory.
7. Amazing is the distinguishing love of God which often takes men who are naturally neither attractive nor amiable—and makes them the monuments of redeeming mercy."I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Matthew 11:25-26
The following "Song of a Tired Servant" has recently been printed in several journals:
"One more day's work for Jesus,
One less of life for me!
But heaven is nearer,
And Christ is dearer
Than yesterday, to me.
His love and light
Fill all my soul tonight.
One more day's work for Jesus:
How glorious is my King;
'Tis joy, not duty,
To speak His beauty;
My soul mounts on the wing
At the mere thought
How Christ its life has bought.
One more day's work for Jesus,
Sweet, sweet the work has been,
To tell this story,
To show the glory,
Where Christ's flock enter in.
How did it shine
In this poor heart of mine!
One more day's work for Jesus.
In hope, in faith, in prayer,
His word I've spoken,
His bread I've broken
To souls faint with despair;
And bade them flee
To Him who has saved me.
One more day's work for Jesus.
Yes, and a weary day.
But heaven shines clearer,
And rest comes nearer.
At each step of the way.
And Christ is all;
Before His face I fall.
O blessed work for Jesus;
O rest at Jesus' feet!
There toil seems pleasure,
My wants are treasure,
And for Him looks sweet.
Lord, if I may, I'll serve
You more another day."
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