TRUE RELIEF

TRUE RELIEF

We have to pass through these terrible times in order that we may learn the resource the Lord will be to us at such a time. Such a dark, desolate path that no one can come near to you but Himself. Blessed be His name, how the heart learns Him then! You may have many friends in joy, but in the sorrow that lies too deep for human sympathy He proves that He is “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18: 24).

^[p. 518] The Lord is first your relief. He perfectly relieves the sin-burdened soul; then He becomes your resource. There is blessed solace for the heart in sorrow when you are drawn to His side. But many who enjoy Christ’s work as the Saviour do not really know Him as Priest. As Saviour He came down to us. He who was down here, and died here for us, is now a great Priest in heaven itself for us, ever to maintain us there in His own acceptance. It is in our darkest hour as to natural things that He makes known His heart. Everyone is looking for His hand, but even when His hand may be apparently against you His heart is revealed to you in a way never known before. When in spirit you are apart from this place and with Christ outside the scene of your sorrow, you taste a joy and a solace which will bear you above the deepest anguish here, the deepest sorrow here - but the deepest joy above in company with Him.

No one is happy here who lives here - everyone is happy here when he lives in heaven where Christ is!