30 THE CONTRAST

THE CONTRAST

"I reckon that our present sufferings—are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us!" Romans 8:18 Look at many of the Lord’s people now: With sickly bodies—they groan, being burdened! With pressing needs—they sigh for relief!

Tormented by inbred sin—they weep and long to be free!

Harassed by Satan—they pant for deliverance!

They hunger, they thirst, they suffer, they mourn, they pray, they doubt, they fear, they hope, they strive, they struggle.

They pass through great tribulation. Every day is more or less—a day of trial; and what with family troubles, business troubles, church troubles, and soul troubles, they are ready to exclaim, "I loathe it! I loathe it! I would not live always!" When you have taken a full view of them . . .
as sufferers,
as sojourners,
as cross-bearers,
passing over the howling desert—
then look up and see what and where they are now!

"They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!" Revelation 7:15-17

How is it possible for the contrast to be more complete, between the present and future state, of many of the Lord’s poor tried people? Now—the eye of carnal reason would say, "They are the most miserable of all men!" But then—all will acknowledge that they are the most happy, most blessed of all men!

Look away then, my brother, from all that tries you, and pains you, and grieves your heart; and look forward to the period when you shall be before God’s throne, the companion of the Lamb—his glorified and happy company.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!" 2 Corinthians 4:16-18