How happy are tested Chrsitians, afterwards. There is no calm more deep then that which goes after a storm. Who has not rejoiced in sunlight after days of rain? Victorious banquets are for soldiers who have fought hard. After climbing the hill of difficulty, we sit down on the bench to rest. After making our way throguh the valley of humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears with the healing branch from the tree of life. It is after the discipline of our good Father that we reap the benefit - salvation for our souls from sin. It is peace, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. For a believer in Jesus, the best comes after the worse for we will one day be with Him, after living through the troubles of this corrupted world. Difficult ploughing brings about big harvests. We grow rich in character through our losses. We rise by becoming more like Jesus as we fall in sickness or whatever other trouble we may face. We live by dying and become full by becoming empty - empty of the world's ideas. Think about it. If our terrible troubles on earth bring about so much fruit, what will heaven be like? If our dark nights are like the world's days, what will our days be like? If we can sing sweetly while in the prisons of this world, how beautiful will our song be in heaven? If we praise the Lord while in the fire, how will our worship be before His throne? Oh the wonderful, "afterwards." Who would not want to be a Christian? Who would not carry the cross God gives them now for the crown that comes afterwards? In conclusion I say this, rest is not for today nor is the triumph, for today we must patiently endure, the rest and triumph come afterwards. Let patient endurance continue that we may be conformed to the image of the Son.
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