Morning, January 29
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
2 Corinthians 4:18
"The things which are not seen."
2 Corinthians 4:18
In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be
looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal.
Whether it be for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring
of our love, the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye
of faith. Looking into the future we see sin cast out, the body of sin
and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of
the inheritance of the saints in light. Looking further yet, the
believer's enlightened eye can see death's river passed, the gloomy
stream forded, and the hills of light attained on which standeth the
celestial city; he seeth himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed
as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the
arms of Jesus, glorified with him, and made to sit together with him on
his throne, even as he has overcome and has sat down with the Father on
his throne. The thought of this future may well relieve the darkness of
the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely
compensate for the sorrows of earth. Hush, hush, my doubts! death is
but a narrow stream, and thou shalt soon have forded it. Time, how
short--eternity, how long! Death, how brief--immortality, how endless!
Methinks I even now eat of Eshcol's clusters, and sip of the well which
is within the gate. The road is so, so short! I shall soon be there.
"When the world my heart is rending
With its heaviest storm of care,
My glad thoughts to heaven ascending,
Find a refuge from despair.
Faith's bright vision shall sustain me
Till life's pilgrimage is past;
Fears may vex and troubles pain me,
I shall reach my home at last."