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He has given me a cup of deep sorrow to drink
(J. C. Philpot, "The
Wine of Astonishment" 1862)
"He has filled me with bitterness. He has given
me
a cup of deep sorrow to drink." Lamentations 3:15
The Lord's people have many hard lessons which they
have to learn in the 'school of Christ'. Each one has to
carry a daily cross, and are burdened and pressed down
under its weight. This daily cross may and does differ in
individuals. But every child of God has his own cross,
which laid upon his shoulders by an invincible hand, he
has, for the most part, to carry down to the very grave.
Thus, some of God's people are afflicted in body from
the very time the Lord begins His work of grace upon
their heart. Or if exempt from disease, are shattered
in nerve, depressed in spirits, and weighed down by
lassitude and languor, often harder to bear than
disease itself.
Some are tied to ungodly partners, meeting
with opposition and persecution at every step.
Others have nothing but trouble in their family,
either from the invasion of death into their circle,
or what sometimes is worse than death--disgrace,
shame, and ungodliness.
Others have little else but one continual series
of losses and crosses in their circumstances,
wave after wave rolling over their heads.
O, view the family of God toiling homeward . . .
some dragging along an afflicted body;
others a wounded spirit;
others carrying upon their shoulders dying children;
others with scarcely a rag to their back or a crust in their hand;
footsore,
fearful in heart,
trembling at a rustling leaf,
a deep river to pass, and
a furious enemy in sight.
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there
are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop
fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though
the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of
my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength!"
Habakkuk 3:17-19
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