Just how many sufferings have been our lot hitherto, we have almost certainly forgotten. There were small sufferings, which may be called simply inconveniences. There were injustices, but we got over them and learned to endure. There were nauseas, aches and pains; heartaches and headaches -- upsets of mind and heart. There were insults because of our background; our colour; our faith. The Lord knows them all. 'Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?'
Life puts suffering in proportion. If it is true that we have already forgotten many of the things we have been through, then it is still more certain that the transition to glory will cause us to forget even the most traumatic.
Perhaps we thought we had forgotten many incidents, but this text has provoked our minds to recall them. Deal with them in this way. Placed alongside the glory which shall be revealed to us, do they not pale into insignificance? Of course, we can only imagine those glories now. When we actually experience them, especially that experience of being glorified together with Christ, shall we not then be all taken up with what is being revealed and forget what is behind?
Let us put away, then, all bitterness. The best is yet to come; indeed, about to come. If there be an unforgiving spirit, any lurking hatred, let us make our peace with all, that our trespasses may be forgiven and glory entered upon.
Let us not succumb to the present feeling of our infirmities but rejoice in the transformation that is soon to happen, when God shall wipe away all tears and there shall be no more sorrow, crying nor pain. 'He that overcometh shall inherit all things.'
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkesl through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Isaiah 43:2).
We must pass through them -- we cannot be excused but we shall pass through them. It may be there are severe times ahead but in the midst of them all we have the promised attendance of the Saviour. Let us resolve here and now to claim this promise for every future situation which might otherwise overwhelm us.
Let us meditate on how vital a battle it is that His dearest servants cannot be excused such ordeals. Let us remember how God 'spared not His Son but gave Him up for us all'. There was no other way to achieve salvation for us, so He went through with it, setting His face steadfastly to go up to Jerusalem. He knows what we are going through, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. But we must hold our part firm and believe to the end. 'He that endures to the end shall be saved.'
Some experiences may buffet us, whirl us about and frighten us like torrents of water. Some may choke and stifle us but we shall not drown. Some pains may be like fires. None of these things can destroy our souls. None of them can make us give up our faith. They will not prove too much because the Saviour's hands are there to lift us over, onward, and through.