"Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit." --John 15:8
In regard to the sphere of Christian duty and usefulness, there is no mistake we more frequently commit, than in supposing, when God is pleased to lay His chastening hand on one of His children--that he "is laid aside," removed from his "post," and, for the time, nearly altogether useless and unprofitable.
We can at once believe in the exertion, the energy, and endurance of the missionary who goes forth to heathen lands--that, amid suffering, privation, and toil, he may disseminate the truth as it is in Jesus, and advance the cause and kingdom of his Redeemer. We give our hearty admiration to the man who devotes himself to some scheme of benevolence--who labors on year after year in furthering the object on which his heart is set. We accord our willing tribute of praise to him who seeks to ameliorate the condition of the poor--to instruct and reclaim the ignorant and wretched dwellers in our lanes and alleys--or to gather in the wandering outcasts on our streets to the house of God, where they may hear of pardon and peace through the precious blood of Christ.
These, and such as these, are held, and worthily held, in admiration. Their names are honored, and become as "household words." But how many of God's dear children are bearing heavier burdens, discharging more painful duties, and displaying more vigorous faith--in the retirement of private life, or in the chamber of sickness and trial. God is "glorified" as well in suffering as in doing--in the patient endurance, as well as in the vigorous performance of His will. There is even a stronger testimony given to the power and efficacy of Christ's religion in the unmurmuring life of some tried and suffering disciple--than in the bold and courageous efforts of him who, against rage and opposition, carries the words of the everlasting gospel from shore to shore--who dreads not the burning sands of the desert, or the frozen mountains of the north--but with ever-increasing energy presses on--that he may plant the Rose of Sharon in the desert wild, and rear the standard of the cross amid savage and heathen tribes. The former may tread his path of suffering unnoticed and uncheered by man--while the latter may be animated to almost superhuman efforts--by the inspiring plaudits of thousands who are watching his progress.
But other eyes are fixed upon the solitary pilgrim, whose every step in his heavenward journey is marked with blood--who, in the loneliness of the midnight hour, when sleep refuses to seal up his eyelids, "communes with his own heart upon his bed, and is still." Angels, we believe, from the heights of glory, and ransomed spirits, sent to minister to the heirs of salvation, circle around that solitary one, and rejoice in being commissioned to bear glad tidings--tidings of peace, and comfort, and hope, and joy--to that troubled and wearied disciple.
Yes, it is a blessed privilege to be called to labor for Christ; but more blessed is it "not only to believe, but also to suffer for His name's sake." It is a sweet and a joyful thing to be a sharer with Christ in anything. Love delights in likeness and communion, not only in things attractive and pleasant, but in the hardest and harshest things, which have not anything in them desirable but only that likeness. So that this thought is very sweet to a heart possessed with the Savior's love. What do sufferings, pains, and sorrows but (by grace) make us more like to Him?--give us a greater share with Him in that which He willingly underwent for us, and afford the opportunity of manifesting, as He did--a humble, obedient, cheerful endurance--and the giving up our will to our heavenly Father's?
Every step of 'sanctified suffering' is a step nearer to the crown of glory. It is a lesson learned in that school of obedience, in which, as man, our blessed Lord Himself was perfected--and by every instance of patient endurance, of thankful, rejoicing acquiescence in the severe discipline of our Father's will--we are "bearing" the fruit by which He is glorified.
Suffering child of God! be not disappointed if, with every desire to do great things for your Savior, you seem to be denied the power or the opportunity of doing anything. Remember, "they also serve who only stand and wait;" and how much more do they serve who are called upon to endure and to suffer? In your chamber of sickness, upon the bed of pain, you may as greatly glorify your Redeemer--as amid the trials of the mission, or the tortures of the stake. In health you had duties to perform, in sickness you have them still. Can you now say that you firmly trust God's goodness, and believe Him to be a father, while trembling under His rod? Can you still cling to the truths of His holy Word, strange and mysterious as they appear to be, content to perish if they be not true? Can you receive comfort in thoughts of death and heaven, of immortality and the resurrection, of the death of Christ and conformity to His sufferings?
It is easy to talk of putting trust in God in the time of health and prosperity, and when our hearts are filled with gladness to extol His goodness and bounty--can you do so now, when sickness has come, and darkness is gathering around your prospects? Are you struggling against the suggestions of the evil heart of unbelief--against hope, are you believing in hope--resigning yourself to God's will--praying Him to choose for you--endeavoring, like a true and faithful servant, to bear with fortitude and resolution the cross laid upon you--in the same spirit as your Divine Master bore the far heavier cross to which He was nailed, in testimony of His infinite love towards you?
If so, then happy are you. Our heavenly Father is perfecting His own work. His secret purpose is being accomplished, and with His own wise and gentle hand, He who has "began," will bring it to "completion." Shrink not because the path is thorny and solitary, for the way is short, and the end is glorious. He who perfected His own Son through sufferings, has brought many sons to glory by the same rough road, even by the "way that is desert," and in His own good time He will conduct you also to "the rest which remains for the people of God."
Fear not the sufferings that may be still in store. He to whom you belong will give you not only patience to endure, but strength to fulfill the peculiar duties to which you may yet be called. He will give grace amid all the trials through which you have to pass, and victory in the contests you may be summoned to enter. Day by day will you receive the impress of the likeness of the ever-blessed Savior; and in you, while, it may be, you know it not, God shall be "glorified," yes, and "shall glorify you." He will give you "the peace which passes all understanding"--the blessed assurance of His own unchanging love, and the hope of dwelling forever at His own right hand in glory. He will make you useful in the Church. Your trust, and hope, and confidence in God, under the severe stroke of affliction, or the pressure of infirmity, will speak forcibly to those around you. There will be a silent yet powerful eloquence in those very infirmities with which you are struggling, and it may be your blessed privilege to sow the seed of goodness, of love to God and Christ, of holiness and happiness, in the hearts of many who, in the great day, shall be to you "a joy and crown of rejoicing."
But, O tried, suffering one! remember that your "sufficiency" for all these things comes from above! The Spirit must sanctify your affliction. He must fulfill in you the work of faith with power. From Him alone must proceed the grace of patient endurance, of willing acquiescence, of thankful, grateful joy. If you rely on your own efforts--if you think that "strength of will" can uphold you in severest pain, and keep you from uttering one cry of anguish, and from yielding to fretfulness and repining--so far you may succeed; but you are not assuredly gaining the end which God has in view. The submission, the patience, the humility, the quiet endurance, which your heavenly Father seeks to work in you, are higher far in meaning than many imagine.
The "submission" is not merely to pain; it is a submission to what the Lord has seen fit to lay upon us. We must see him above all, in our sufferings, as the Author of them. We cannot advance one step until we have been brought to the heartfelt confession, "It is the Lord." His hand must be acknowledged, His power and providence realized, before we can yield any "fruit" to His praise and glory. Oh, then, pray that you may fully realize and see that a Father's hand has mingled your cup of bitterness, and then may you hope to be able from the heart to say, "Shall I not drink it?"
Seek also to be resting on Jesus for all your strength, your hope, your comfort, and deliverance. Believe in Him as your all-sufficient Savior, as your Pattern, and as your Support in every tribulation. Ask of Him in every fresh trial, and under every circumstance of the trial, "Lord, how would You have me to act? What would You have me to do?" Implore of Him increasing submission and quietude of spirit. Endeavor, by earnest and persevering prayer, to obtain that increase of faith which sustains the soul above the depression of this low world, and the wearying contemplation of pain, sorrow, fear, sin, and death; and strive more and more to raise your affections to things above, where your loving Savior dwells, and whence He will before long return to gather you up with Him to His throne, that you may behold and share His glory.
Seek of Him the Holy Spirit, to intercede within you, and to unite your heart to God's heart. He is a Counselor and Comforter from Christ, to His suffering ones. He is a Guide to lead you into all truth, to reveal to you the whole will of your heavenly Father, and to work mightily the power of God in your soul, quickening you from sin to holiness, and raising you up to all heavenly blessings with Christ.
Thus living, a daily suppliant at Mercy's gate, you will obtain grace equal to your day--grace to honor your Divine Master--grace to manifest the power of a living faith--grace to endure as seeing Him who is invisible--grace to be faithful unto death, and, through the merits of Christ, to receive the crown of life.
Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who does not willingly afflict the children of men, but rebukes and chastens those whom You love--look down upon me, Your unworthy servant, and have mercy upon me, for Christ's sake. Enable me, O God, amid all my pains and sufferings, to recognize Your fatherly hand, and to feel assured that You will make them means of good, and sources of blessing to my soul. I acknowledge, O God, that I have grievously sinned against You, and merit only Your hot displeasure. But for the sake of Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself a sacrifice for sin, and who now pleads at Your right hand, do, Lord God, have mercy upon me, and forgive all my iniquities.
And grant, heavenly Father, if it pleases You, that both my soul may be healed of the dreadful malady of sin, and my body renewed with health, that I may devote the life You spare to Your service, and to the good of my fellow-creatures.
Whatever You are pleased to give or withhold, oh, pour upon me the rich gift of Your Holy Spirit. Through His indwelling may I be enabled to bring forth fruit to Your glory. Make me patient, humble, and resigned. Grant that no pain may ever tempt me to murmur, or to doubt Your fatherly goodness. Assist me, O God, to cherish penitent, believing, and serious thoughts and affections, and such meekness and patience as my Divine Master manifested while He was a sufferer on earth. Help me, by Your Holy Spirit, so to meditate on Your mercies in Christ Jesus, that, in the midst of all my weariness and pains, Your comforts may refresh my soul.
O Blessed Jesus, be my refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. You, O merciful Lord, have said that in all our afflictions You are afflicted. May I realize Your sympathy with me. May the remembrance of Your sufferings check every murmur, and soothe every pain. Lord, enable me, whether in sickness or in health, to glorify Your holy name. Do with me what is good in Your sight. Let patience have her perfect work. If this sickness be unto death, oh, prepare me for it, that I may depart only to be with You. Whether in life or in death, may I still live in Your presence. And to Your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be ascribed all glory and praise, world without end. Amen.
