[Songs in the Night - October 20]
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
OUR text applies the general principle enunciated
by our Lord, "Through much tribulation shall ye enter
the kingdom."
This is not because divine power is not
able to shield us from the tribulations, nor because our
Lord is not interested in our welfare, but quite the
contrary, because, according to divine tests placed upon
the church, the new nature can be developed, educated,
crystallized, only through the tests and trials it will
endure through its earthly members in the flesh,
through loyalty to the Lord.
These testings will come
along various lines—faith, obedience, endurance, love,
etc.
And it is only to the overcomers that the reward
is promised.
But thank God, grace to help in time of
need is promised us.
If our hearts are loyal and we
do our best, the Lord will see to the remainder. Z'09-39 R4326:1 (Hymn 222)