You have had a history, a history which none but the all-seeing One has fully read-a life, it may be, full of events, events deeply trying and sorrowful; or you may have a life of hidden sorrow, something which you cannot speak of to your dearest earthly friends, but which has been a lifelong grief. Indeed, the sources of grief are so varied that they cannot be enumerated. But your God and Father knows them all, so that you may truly say, "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path " (Psa. 142:3).He not only looks on you in tender pity, but He cares for you, and can and will use all that you are passing through for your real and eternal good, if you truly wait upon Him, and in a spirit of quiet submission bow to all He has, in His inscrutable providence, permitted to come upon you. Do so, dear soul, and victory is yours, and you will gain that which is of more real value than all you have lost. Your sorrow will be turned into joy, and this joy none can take from you. Let the blessed Lord Jesus, who loves you, and who has washed you from your sins in His own blood, be your strength for the way-yea, the portion, the Beloved of your heart, and the constant guide of your life during the "little while."Though others may sadly disappoint you, and even prove false, yet He will ever prove true and faithful. In this way your remaining days can be bright, and your end peaceful and joyous; and when you get to the tearless shore, how fully you will be able to say,
"Our Jesus hath done all things well" !
O, keep near, to Him. He loves you with a love far surpassing all other loves put together. And He has all power. He says, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. 28:18). So that He can act out His love to the fullest extent. Power and love are combined to make you blessed. Then you may trust Him. Read something of Him daily in the precious word of God. Tell Him your whole heart. Be true to Him. It is sad that so many of those who profess His name are so false to Him during His absence, going hand in hand with the world which is an enemy to Him to whom they profess to be espoused!
O, beloved tried ones, be true to your absent Lord. Thus be practically ready for His coming. Soon the marks of sorrow will disappear, and your joy will be full and forever.
He is a present help now in your time of trouble. He will help you now in your weakness and daily cares. And to know that you have a happy home awaiting you, you can well bear the inconveniences of the way. Soon your night of weeping will be over, and the morning of joy will have come; then
" A day without night,
You will feast in His sight,
And eternity seem as a day,"-
"Seem as a day," because so blessed. No tedious hours in that day! Yet the sun of that day will never go down. And all is of grace through Christ. Praise God and the Lamb! You will do that forever, and no trace of former grief to mar your bliss. "The God of all comfort" now gives real comfort; then it will be full. R. H.