SUNDAY COLUMN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 43, 30 November 1940, Page 3

SUNDAY COLUMN

NEWS OF THE CHURCHES.

DEVOTIONAL READING.

(Conducted by the Ashburton Ministers’ Association). VICTORY THROUGH SUFFERING. I soav in the midst of the throne, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. (Revelation v. 6.) “Under the designation- ‘the Lamb,’ therefore, there lie the ideas of sacrifices and triumphant might. The conquest of sin is only to he achieved through self-sacrifice. Nothing but the self-sacrifice of holy love can overcome the principle of selfishness and sin that dominates the world. The Lamb whoi conquers is the Lamb ivho has given Himself up as a Avilling sacrifice.” (R«. H. Charles: Commentary on Revelation.) “Christ is the Lamb of God ! But that brings nought of help to thee Until thou seest that thou thyself a Lamb of God must be.” (Angelus Silesitis, tr. by Henry Bett.) ' * * * * In bis vision of heaven’s glory John sees at the centre of it all a Lamb standing as though it had been, slain. So- I learn that behind: the veil that hides the Unseen theire is a meek and suffering Love' that hears the burden of the sins of men and offers itself continually for their salvation. And so it means that to-day I can think of God as one avlio fully shares pain of the world’s present tragedy. This bileaeh in human fellowship which' I mourn is much more grievous to Him, for it is a conflict Avithin His family, a fratricidal strife among His children. This setback ivhieli all my hopes for the Avofld have suffered in His disappointment also; His hopes for the world Avere far purer and 1 higher than rn'ine. This cloud of hatred and bitterness that casts its shadow over my lieairt darkens His heart far more. That sense of all the Avorld’s pain that comes over me at times is as nothing to His, in whose heart reverberates every throb of pain that any of His children feel.-

So God is no distant spectator of the world’s anguish; He is its chief suf - ferer. There is comfort there for me, and for everyone upon Avhom any share of the world’s present burden of pain and sorrow has come. The mystery may still be unexplained, but it is something to know that God is sharing it all with me, suffering at my side. And at times I may meet from the eyes of my suffering God what iDbra. GreenAvell calls “at look of solemn recognition, such as may pass between friends Avlio have endured between them some strange and secret soiitoav, and are through it united in a bond that cannot be broken.”

And yet the Lamb is in the midst of the throne. John sees Him, not prostrate and dying, but standing; not defeated, but acclaimed as victor by the whole company of Heaven, And that tolls me that in this dark time also, though God suffered in all the sin and pain, of the ivorld, He himself sees to the end of sin and pain, and tastes already the joy of victory. God is not defeated by the Avorld’s evil. H«e is on. the Cross, sin’s Victim. But He is at the same time on the Throne, its Victor. That was the message of hope John brought to a persecuted, stricken Church in a world where evil seemed everywhere victorious, the message that the suffering Lamb ivas on the throne, that -God was moving toward His certain victory even when His cause seemed utterly defeated. So I, too, in this clay will fake heart again. The Lamb is in the midst of the throne. But here is the call God surely brings to mo. When I see tho Lamb in the midst of the throne I learn lioav evil can be conquered l in the world, and how alone. God’s Avay is eviqr to take the evil of the world upon His own heart, bear Avith patience all that it can do, meet it only Avitli answering love, and by the newer of that patient, suffering love transform the evil to good. It is by God’s own suffering that He heals the wounds of the Avorld. It is by His oavh, steadfast love that He breaks doAvn the power of hatred in the world. That is God’s Avay of conquering evil, nor is there any other Avay for us. The might of evil in the World may fog, a time be restrained) by answering might; the evil in men’s hearts can be overcome and uprooted only by the love that is willing to suffer to the uttermost that others may be saved. And so it cc-mes to me that I too may have a, share in God’s victory. My uncomplaining suffering, my brave endurance, my patient love may help God to prevail over the evil that iioav destroys His Avorld. If I take my share of the world's trouble ivithout bitterness I too .shall be able to- transform it into good. If I refuse to let love die in my oiv'n heart I shall be helping to keep love alive in the world,, and to bring nearer the clay when love shall overcome all that iioav opposes it. God) Avill take my bit of patient suffering and join it to that eternal sacrifice by Avhicli 'Be saves the world. He Avill take the poor offering of my love and make it part of that mystery of divine love, that even now is stronger than all hate and must one day prevail. So, as I take my place again in this troubled world, 1 look once more at the Lamb in the midst of the throne. In His suffering 1 find healing for my own pain, and in His triumph hope is received within my own heart. A PRAYER. Forgive me, my God, for the sin by which I myself have made heavier Thy burden of pain and soryoiv. Forgive me for the cold and hard and hitter thoughts that have been payt of Thy heartbreak. Help me iioav to open my heart afresh, that Tliy patient love may com? in and transform all that no\v opposes it into its own pure likeness. Wilt Thou from this moment so live and love Avithin mo that even as my lovelessness has shared in the world’s sin my love may have some share in its salvation. Amen.