February 12

“For as the sufferings of Christ aboi nd in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” — 2 Corinthians i. 5.

J)E11E is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of providenct %j bears a pair of scales — in this side He puts His peo pie’s trials, and in that He puts their consolations When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the s’lme condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of con eolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to His crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it h that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because triah make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The sparse of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God t omes into our heart — Ho finds it full — He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more roou. for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, becanso he will be more fitted to receive it. Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this — then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and wr want our God; once cleanse the idols ut of the house, then we are compelled to honor Jehovah. “Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, 0 Lord.” There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; fof nearness to God i.s happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralda of weigii*/ jrercies.