THE CHILDREN'S SORROWS

In God's ways, some boys and girls learn when quite young what sorrow is - perhaps through illness, disappointment or the death of a loved one. At such times comfort is always to be found where love is; especially, for the believer, in the Lord Jesus. He knew indeed what it was to be "very sorrowful even unto death". These are His own words recorded in the gospel account which speaks of Him as the great King, yet His resource was in dependent prayer to the Father.

You will know that the shortest verse in the Bible tells us very simply that "Jesus wept". This was from deep personal grief although His divine power was about to change the circumstances completely. It is of interest, too, that three great apostles also wept, great men as they were. In Peter's case the tears were those of sorrow for failure to confess his Master; with Paul it was because of the enemies of the cross of Christ; John wept much until he understood that the Lord, seen by him as the Lamb, is able to settle every problem to the glory of God.

A very tender scripture records about a sorrowing boy, that God heard his voice “there where he is”. In fact, his name itself meant ‘God hears’! This should encourage the young people to carry every trouble to God, although He sees and knows all things. By the habit of prayer they would then grow up to be reliant on Him, rather than self-reliant as Ishmael unhappily became.

Sometimes sorrow is suddenly changed to joy. I expect that the maiden, Rhoda, was as anxious as the older brethren at the meeting for prayer when Peter was in prison. But when she heard his voice at the door she forgot to open it at once to him for sheer joyful surprise! No doubt her faith in God's power was much strengthened by this experience.

In the gracious ways of God a boy who had become a cripple at the age of five was given in later years a happy place at the table of his king every day. Also, through his sorrows he must have learnt much about God's care for him because he called his son by a name which means 'who is like God'. He remained faithful to David when very many others were unfaithful. Do you long to be faithful to the Lord in the time of His rejection?

J.C.Evershed