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Christ Lifts Us Through Sorrow, December 16
Happy is the man whom God correcteth.... He maketh sore, and bindeth up:
he wounded, 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
.
When tribulation comes upon us, how many of us are like Jacob! We think it
the hand of an enemy; and in the darkness we wrestle blindly until our strength is
spent, and we find no comfort or deliverance. To Jacob the divine touch at break
of day revealed the One with whom he had been contending—the Angel of the
covenant; and, weeping and helpless, he fell upon the breast of Infinite Love, to
receive the blessing for which his soul longed. We also need to learn that trials
mean benefit, and not to despise the chastening of the Lord nor faint when we are
rebuked of Him....
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 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.... The Lord has special grace for the mourner, and its power is to
melt hearts, to win souls.—
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 11-13
.
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