Glorying in Tribulations

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so.
O this full this perfect peace!
O this transport all divine
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.
(George Wade Robinson)

Do you hear the echo of the Song of Solomon? It is the experience of God's people throughout the centuries, in spite of all variations in circumstances and conditions.

So can we appropriate this language in any measure? This is what is being offered us in the New Testament. This is true Christianity. Not men and women struggling to hold on, and, with a great effort of the will, just managing to keep themselves religious. That is a terrible contradiction of what we have here!

 

And, of course, that is what has antagonised so many non-Christians. If we give the impression that the main effect of Christianity is to make us miserable, then it is not surprising that ninety per cent of the people are outside the Christian church. 'Miserable Christians,' they say, 'look at them!' And they add that they have life, they have joy, they have fullness. Shame on us Christian people!