Beatitudes
17
that trials mean benefit, and not to despise the chastening of the Lord
nor faint when we are rebuked of Him.
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“Happy is the man whom God correcteth: ... He maketh sore, and
bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver
thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.”
Job
5:17-19
. To every stricken one, Jesus comes with the ministry of heal-
ing. The life of bereavement, pain, and suffering may be brightened
by precious revealings of His presence.
God would not have us remain pressed down by dumb sorrow, with
sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up and behold His
dear face of love. The blessed Saviour stands by many whose eyes are
so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him. He longs to clasp our
hands, to have us look to Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide
us. His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows, and our trials. He has
loved us with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness compassed
us about. We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon
His loving-kindness all the day. He will lift the soul above the daily
sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace.
Think of this, children of suffering and sorrow, and rejoice in hope.
“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
1 John
5:4
.
Blessed are they also who weep with Jesus in sympathy with the
world’s sorrow and in sorrow for its sin. In such mourning there
is intermingled no thought of self. Jesus was the Man of Sorrows,
enduring heart anguish such as no language can portray. His spirit
was torn and bruised by the transgressions of men. He toiled with
self-consuming zeal to relieve the wants and woes of humanity, and
His heart was heavy with sorrow as He saw multitudes refuse to come
[13]
to Him that they might have life. All who are followers of Christ will
share in this experience. As they partake of His love they will enter
into His travail for the saving of the lost. They share in the sufferings
of Christ, and they will share also in the glory that shall be revealed.
One with Him in His work, drinking with Him the cup of sorrow, they
are partakers also of His joy.
It was through suffering that Jesus obtained the ministry of conso-
lation. In all the affliction of humanity He is afflicted; and “in that He
Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that
are tempted.”
Isaiah 63:9
;
Hebrews 2:18
. In this ministry every soul