Compassed
With God’s Mercy
Many
sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall
compass him about. Ps. 32:10.
We
often think that those who serve God have more trials than the unbeliever,
and that the path marked out for them to travel in is rugged. . . . But does
the sinner enjoy his worldly pleasure and enjoyment unalloyed? Oh, no. There
are times when the sinner is fearfully troubled. He fears God but does not
love Him.
Are the wicked free from disappointment, perplexity, earthly losses, poverty,
and distress? Many of them suffer a lingering sickness, yet have no strong
and mighty One to lean upon, no strengthening grace from a higher power to
support them in their weakness. They lean upon their own strength. They obtain
no consolation by looking forward to the future, but a fearful uncertainty
torments them; and thus they close their eyes in death, not finding any pleasure
in looking forward to the resurrection morn, for they have no cheering hope
that they shall have part in the first resurrection. . . .
The Christian is subject to sickness, disappointment, poverty, reproach, and
distress. Yet amid all this he loves God, he chooses to do His will, and prizes
nothing so highly as His approbation. In the conflicting trials and changing
scenes of this life, he knows that there is One who knows it all, One who
will bend His ear low to the cry of the sorrowful and distressed, One who
can sympathize with every sorrow and soothe the keen anguish of every heart.
. . .
Amid all his affliction, the Christian has strong consolation. And if God
permits him to suffer a lingering, distressing sickness before he closes his
eyes in death, he can with cheerfulness bear it all. . . . He contemplates
the future with heavenly satisfaction. A short rest in the grave, and then
the Life-giver will break the fetters of the tomb, release the captive, and
bring him from his dusty bed immortal, never more to know pain, sorrow, or
death. Oh, what a hope is the Christian’s! Let this hope of the Christian
be mine. Let it be yours
From
Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 89, 90.