the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Golden Treasury
Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalms 97:11. Unto the upright there arises light in darkness; he is gracious, full of compassion, and righteous. Psalms 112:4. Therefore cast not away confidence, which has great recompense of reward; for ye have need of patience. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:36-37. Isaiah 58:10-12.
This shows that believers are subject to many changes of joy and sorrow. In a state of gladness, therefore, we have reason to fear: and in the hours of trouble and sadness, to entertain good hopes. Thus we shall always be able to keep the happy medium between the extremes of levity and despair. Before a man has a true sense of his own miseries, the complaints and infirmities of the saints, are often a stumbling-block; but afterwards, they will administer him great comfort. This is the reason that God has revealed them in scripture; for the complaints of his children, and elect, as Luther observes, gives more comfort than all their most heroic actions.
Alas! it swells my sorrows high,
To see my blessed Jesus frown:
My spirits sink, my comforts die,
And all the springs of life are down.
Yet why, my soul, why these complaints?
Still while he frowns his bowels move:
Still on his heart he bears his saints.
And feels their sorrows, and his love.
