Spurgeon: May PM
* 05/18/PM
"Afterward."
--Hebrews 12:11
How happy are tried Christians, afterwards . No calm more
deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in
clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for
well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the
honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty, we sit down in the
arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation,
after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the
healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the
passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line
of holy light behind them "afterwards." It is peace, sweet, deep
peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in
our tormented, guilty souls. See, then, the happy estate of a
Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this
world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things
are "afterward" good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful
harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his
falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if,
then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit
in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy "afterwards"
in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days,
what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid
than the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a
dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise
the Lord in the fires, how will he extol Him before the eternal
throne! If evil be good to him now , what will the overflowing
goodness of God be to him then ? Oh, blessed "afterward!" Who
would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross
for the crown which cometh afterwards? But herein is work for
patience, for the rest is not for to-day, nor the triumph for
the present, but "afterward." Wait, O soul, and let patience
have her perfect work.