Evening, May 18
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Hebrews 12:11
"Afterward."
Hebrews 12:11
How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that
which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after
rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After
killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty,
we sit down in the arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of
Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears,
with the healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the
passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy
light behind them "afterwards." It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which
follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented,
guilty souls. See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his
best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst
things first. But even his worst things are "afterward" good things,
harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by
his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full
by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much
peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy
"afterwards" in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's
days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid
than the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon,
how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the
fires, how will he extol him before the eternal throne! If evil be good
to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then?
Oh, blessed "afterward!" Who would not be a Christian? Who would not
bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterwards? But
herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the
triumph for the present, but "afterward." Wait, O soul, and let
patience have her perfect work.