March 29

Morning

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. — Heb 5:8

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect—must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the Head be crowned with thorns and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of His own blood to win the crown and are we to walk to heaven dry-shod in silver slippers? No, our Master’s experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might!

But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ’s “being made perfect through suffering” — it is, that He can have complete sympathy with us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are.” In this sympathy of Christ, we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, “I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and He sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong.” Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus, strengthen you as you follow in His steps. Find a sweet support in His sympathy!

Remember that, to suffer is an honorable thing — to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ—just so far does He honor us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions! The regalia of the kings whom God has anointed—are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honored. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.”

Evening

I called him, but he gave me no answer. — Song 5:6

Prayer sometimes tarries, like a petitioner at the gate, until the King comes forth to fill her bosom with the blessings which she seeks. The Lord, when He has given great faith, has been known to try it by long delayings. He has allowed His servants’ voices to echo in their ears—as from a brazen sky. They have knocked at the golden gate but it has remained immovable, as though it were rusted upon its hinges. Like Jeremiah, they have cried, “You have covered Yourself with a cloud—that our prayer should not pass through.”

Thus have true saints continued long in patient waiting without reply, not because their prayers were not vehement, nor because they were unaccepted but because it so pleased Him who is a Sovereign, and who gives according to His own pleasure. If it pleases Him to bid our patience exercise itself—shall He not do as He wills with His own! Beggars must not be choosers—either as to time, place, or form.

But we must be careful not to take delays in prayer for denials! God’s long-dated bills will be punctually honored. Nor must we allow Satan to shake our confidence in the God of truth—by pointing to our unanswered prayers. Unanswered petitions are not unheard. God keeps a file for our prayers—they are not blown away by the wind—they are treasured in the King’s archives. This is a registry in the court of heaven—wherein every prayer is recorded. Tried believer, your Lord has a tear-bottle in which the costly drops of sacred grief are stored away and a book in which your holy groanings are numbered. By-and-by, your prayer shall be answered. Can you not be content to wait a little? Will not your Lord’s time—be better than your time? By-and-by He will comfortably appear, to your soul’s joy, and make you put away the sackcloth and ashes of long waiting and put on the scarlet and fine linen of full fruition!