SUFFERING-UNIVERSAL
Suffering is
the heritage of the bad, of the penitent, and of the Son of God. Each one ends
in the cross. The bad thief is crucified, the penitent thief is crucified, and
the Son of God is crucified. By these signs we know the widespread heritage of
suffering.
Oswald Chambers
Christian Discipline.
The road to the Kingdom is not so
pleasant, and comfortable, and easy, and flowery, as many dream. It is not a
bright sunny avenue of palms. It is not paved with triumph, though it is to end
in victory. The termination is glory, honor, and immortality; but on the way,
there is the thorn in the flesh, the sackcloth, and the cross. Recompense later;
but labor here! Rest later; but weariness here! Joy and
security later; but here endurance and watchfulness – the race, the battle, the
burden, the stumbling block, and oftentimes the heavy heart.
Horatius Bonar
The
Surety’s Cross, Family Sermons, Sermon 20, 1873.
One son God
hath without sin, but none without sorrow.
John Trapp
A Puritan Golden Treasury,
compiled by I.D.E. Thomas, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 2000, p. 11.
God had one
Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.
Augustine
Some
believers are very surprised when they are called to suffer. They thought they
would do some great thing for God, but all God permits them to do is to suffer.
Just suppose you could speak with those who have gone to be with the Lord;
everyone has a different story, yet everyone has a tale of suffering. One was
persecuted by family and friends...another was inflicted with pain and disease,
neglected by the world...another was bereaved of children...another had all
these afflictions. But you will notice that though the water was deep, they all
have reached the other side. Not one of them blames God for the road He led
them; 'Salvation' is their only cry. Are there any of you, dear children,
murmuring at your lot? Do not sin against God. This is the way God leads all
His redeemed ones.
Robert McCheyne
Every life has
dark tracks and long stretches of somber tint, and no representation is true to
fact which dips its pencil only in light, and flings no shadows on the canvas.
Alexander MacLaren