God’s People Delivered
537
In all ages the Saviour’s chosen have been educated and disciplined
in the school of trial. They walked in narrow paths on earth; they were
[650]
purified in the furnace of affliction. For Jesus’ sake they endured
opposition, hatred, calumny. They followed him through conflicts
sore; they endured self-denial and experienced bitter disappointments.
By their own painful experience they learned the evil of sin, its power,
its guilt, its woe; and they look upon it with abhorrence. A sense of the
infinite sacrifice made for its cure, humbles them in their own sight,
and fills their hearts with gratitude and praise which those who have
never fallen cannot appreciate. They love much, because they have
been forgiven much. Having been partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they
are fitted to be partakers with him of his glory.
The heirs of God have come from garrets, from hovels, from
dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains, from deserts, from the
caves of the earth, from the caverns of the sea. On earth they were
“destitute, afflicted, tormented.” Millions went down to the grave
loaded with infamy, because they steadfastly refused to yield to the
deceptive claims of Satan. By human tribunals they were adjudged
the vilest of criminals. But now “God is judge himself.” [
Psalm 50:6
.]
Now the decisions of earth are reversed. “The rebuke of his people
shall he take away.” [
Isaiah 25:8
.] “They shall call them, The holy
people, The redeemed of the Lord.” He hath appointed “to give unto
them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness.” [
Isaiah 62:12
;
61:3
.] They are no
longer feeble, afflicted, scattered, and oppressed. Henceforth they are
to be ever with the Lord. They stand before the throne clad in richer
robes than the most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are
crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the
brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are forever
ended. The King of glory has wiped the tears from all faces; every
cause of grief has been removed. Amid the waving of palm-branches
they pour forth a song of praise, clear, sweet, and harmonious; every
voice takes up the strain, until the anthem swells through the vaults of
[651]
Heaven, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto
the Lamb.” And all the inhabitants of Heaven respond in the ascription,
“Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor,
and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever.” [
Revelation
7:10, 12
.]