Reflecting on the Happy Outcome of Bearing Your Cross
" For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. " (Lamentations 3:31-33, ESV) [1] Another gem from Starck’s Prayer Book : Every affliction becomes light when there is hope that there will be a change for the better soon. A difficult journey becomes short when it is quickly accomplished. Similarly, the afflicted should bear in mind that their misery will certainly have an end , maybe even in this life ( my emphasis added ). It can happen with them just as God turned to their advantage David’s flight, Hezekiah’s sickness, Job’s distress, the widow’s tears, and the paralyzed man’s pains. Most certainly, however, God will end the cross of the godly and turn it to their advantage at death, for then they shall obtain the crown, the white robe, and the joy of heaven, and He will wi...