The Highway Forums General Discussion Devotional AW PINK - chapter from "Comfort for Christians".

Here is a chapter from AW Pink's well-known Book, hoping it will indeed bring much comfort to my brothers and sisters in Christ right now. Love in Christ, English Rose


COMFORT FOR CHRISTIANS

Chapter 3

Sufferings Compensated


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"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us"

Romans 8:18


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Ah, says someone, that must have been written by a man who was a stranger to suffering, or by one acquainted with nothing more trying than the milder irritations of life. Not so. These words were penned under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and by one who drank deeply of sorrow’s cup, yea, by one who suffered afflictions in their acutest forms. Hear his own testimony: "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness" (2 Cor. 11:24-27).

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." This, then was the settled conviction not of one of "fortune’s favourites," not of one who found life’s journey a carpeted pathway, bordered with roses, but, instead, of one who was hated by his kinsmen, who was oft-times beaten black and blue, who knew what it was to be deprived not only of the comforts but the bare necessities of life. How, then shall we account for his cheery optimism? What was the secret of his elevation over his troubles and trials?

The first thing with which the sorely-tried apostle comforted himself was that the sufferings of the Christian are but of brief duration—they are limited to "this present time." This is in sharp and solemn contrast from the sufferings of the Christ-rejector. His sufferings will be eternal: forever tormented in the Lake of Fire. But far different is it for the believer. His sufferings are restricted to this life on earth, which is compared to a flower that cometh forth and is cut down, to a shadow that fleeth and continueth not. A few short years at most, and we shall pass from this vale of tears into that blissful country where groans and sighs are never heard.

Second, the apostle looked forward with the eye of faith to "the glory." To Paul "the glory" was something more than a beautiful dream. It was a practical reality, exerting a powerful influence upon him, consoling him in the warmest and most trying hours of adversity. This is one of the real tests of faith. The Christian has a solid support in the time of affliction, when the unbeliever has not. The child of God knows that in his Father’s presence there is "fullness of joy," and that at His right hand there are "pleasures forever more." And faith lays hold of them, appropriates them, and lives in the comforting cheer of them even now. Just as Israel in the wilderness were encouraged by a sight of what awaited them in the promised land (Num. 13:23,26), so, the one who today walks by faith, and not by sight, contemplates that which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, but which God by His Holy Spirit hath revealed unto us (1 Cor. 2:9,10).

Third, the apostle rejoiced in "the glory which should be revealed in us." All that this means we are not yet capable of understanding. But more than a hint has been vouchsafed us. There will be:

1. The "glory" of a perfect body. In that day this corruption shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal, immortality. That which was sown in dishonour shall be raised in glory, and that which was sown in weakness shall be raised in power. As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Cor. 15:49). The content of these expressions is summarized and amplified in Phil. 3:20,21: "For our conservation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."

2. There will be the glory of a transformed mind. "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Cor. 13:12). O what an orb of intellectual light will be each glorified mind! What range of light will it encompass! What capability of understanding will it enjoy! Then will all mysteries be unravelled, all problems solved, all discrepancies reconciled. Then shall each truth of God’s revelation, each event of His providence, each decision of His government, stand yet more transparently clear and resplendent than the sun itself. Do you, in your present quest for spiritual knowledge, mourn the darkness of your mind, the weakness of your memory, the limitations of your intellectual faculties? Then rejoice in hope of the glory that is to be revealed in you—when all your intellectual powers shall be renewed, developed, perfected, so that you shall know even as you are known.

3. Best of all, there will be the glory of perfect holiness. God’s work of grace in us will then be completed. He has promised to "perfect that which concerneth us" (Psa. 138:8). Then will be the consummation of purity. We have been predestinated to be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29), and when we shall see Him, "we shall be like him" (1 John 3:2). Then our minds will be no more defiled by evil imaginations, our consciences no more sullied by a sense of guilt, our affections no more ensnared by unworthy objects.

What a marvelous prospect is this! A "glory" to be revealed in me who now can scarcely reflect a solitary ray of light! In me—so wayward, so unworthy, so sinful; living so little in communion with Him who is the Father of lights! Can it be that in me this glory shall be revealed? So affirms the infallible Word of God. If I am a child of light—through being "in Him" who is the effulgence of the Father’s glory—even though now dwelling amid the world’s dark shades, one day I shall outshine the brightness of the firmament. And when the Lord Jesus returns to this earth. he shall "be admired in all them that believe" (2 Thess. 1:10).

Finally, the apostle here weighed the "sufferings" of this present time over against the "glory" which shall be revealed in us, and as he did so he declared that the one is "not worthy to be compared" with the other. The one is transient, the other eternal. As, then, there is no proportion between the finite and the infinite, so there is no comparison between the sufferings of earth and the glory of heaven.

One second of glory will outweigh a lifetime of suffering. What were the years of toil, of sickness, of battling with poverty, of sorrow in any or every form, when compared with the glory of Immanuel’s land! One draught of the river of pleasure at God’s right hand, one breath of Paradise, one hour amid the blood-washed around the throne, shall more than compensate for all the tears and groans of earth. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." May the Holy Spirit enable both writer and reader to lay hold of this with appropriating faith and live in the present possession and enjoyment of it to the praise of the glory of Divine grace.

AW PINK - 1886-1952
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Rose,

Thank you for this timely word of God penned by one of his dear saints who is now experiencing that "glory" of which he once contemplated while he walked as a pilgrim on this earth. My favorite part is this:

Ah yes... that perfect holiness which is promised to those who love Christ with an unfeigned faith when we shall finally have that long-awaited transformation into the image of our Savior. How splendid this shall be to receive that which we now can only strive after and hope for out of that new heart of flesh given to us when He first called us by the gospel. It is not some silly hope of having angelic wings or a brilliant halo about our heads which we yearn for. But rather to be like Him who bought us with His precious blood that we might stand before our loving heavenly Father, holy and without blemish. (Eph 1:4)

This was posted at the perfect time! Not just because of the liturgical season, but at the particular circumstances I find myself in personally just now.

Thank you, Rose!

Robin

I loved it. Thank you English Rose.

Wonderful to contemplate. Especially this:
"If I am a child of light—through being "in Him" who is the effulgence of the Father’s glory—even though now dwelling amid the world’s dark shades, one day I shall outshine the brightness of the firmament. And when the Lord Jesus returns to this earth. he shall "be admired in all them that believe" (2 Thess. 1:10)."

I to would like to thankyou English Rose. It not only spoke to my heart, I thought it might be of some encouragement to some friends who are going through a very difficult period in their lives. I sent this chapter of AW Pink's work to them.


Tom

Tom,

I'm confused why you posted your reply to "chestnutmare" instead of directly to English Rose which it seems all too obvious was your intention? Personally, I find this confusing when trying to follow the flow of conversation.

Sorry, just a mistake on my part.

Tom

NP Tom

The new upcoming major upgrade to the board will alleviate this type of mistake along with many other changes, improvements and features, IF the financial support which has been lacking as of late is met so that this board may continue its existence.

Thank you, dear brethren, Robin and Pilgrim, as you have encouraged me by your kind response. Love in Christ, English Rose

Praise God that some of you have found this piece by dear AW PINk to be especially helpful at this time. I am indeed grateful to God for His mercies. Love in Christ from English Rose

Dear Pilgrim, As you know, I am not familiar with the correct placing of comments, devotionals and questions etc. so would welcome an upcoming upgrade if it would help these situations, and I have been somewhat concerned that the financial support is lacking, so please dear brothers and sisters, support this precious ministry. It is somewhere we can air our views, bring some encouragement to others, and also share items of prayer. Maybe I am blessed without truly realising it, that as I have no church support, and my husband and I are so isolated, with no friends as such, or any christian family, that I really appreciate a special place like The Highway.

May I please ask you to support this Ministry. I know we are all finding it more difficult these days with increasing cost of living, with some even losing their homes, but those who can, please give.

Love in Christ from English Rose

PS I do So appreciate all those who have responded to the AW Pink article. If you would like more, I can (I hope!) manage to include other chapters of AW Pink's precious "Comfort for Christians." It would make me so happy to do so.

English Rose,

Methinks it would be best if I simply created a new Forum just for devotional quotes, articles and other material. That would be easy for me to do and I think that it would serve our purposes here quite nicely. Thanks again for your devotion first to God and then to this work. It is a joy to know that we shall someday meet and spend eternity together praising our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus the Lord.

In His grace,

Dear Pilgrim, That sounds just about fine to me! I would know then exactly where to place any devotionals or articles, and it might also encourage more. God bless you. sincerely, in Christ, English Rose

English Rose, thank you for your desire to encourage and build up others. I look forward to the good things that you will share with us.

As always in Christ,