April 2

See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. — Isa 48:10 BSB

According to God's own testimony, it is "through much tribulation" that we must enter the kingdom, and therefore, there is no entering the kingdom of grace here, or the kingdom of glory hereafter, without it. But remember, whatever affliction befalls the saints is laid upon them by the hand of God, for the express purpose of putting them in a position where they are capable of receiving the comforts that only God can bestow.

No one but Jesus and the Father can truly comfort a heart in affliction. Yet, He does comfort His dear people from time to time through a sense of His presence, a powerful word from His gracious lips, the light of His countenance, the balm of His atoning blood, and the work and witness of the Spirit within. As they receive this consolation from the mouth of God, their hearts are comforted. How good and gracious the Lord is to bestow such blessings upon His redeemed family! May He grant us more of these comforts! And may He, having bestowed upon us everlasting consolation or even a good hope through grace, continue to comfort our hearts as we walk through this valley of tears. May our consolations be neither few nor small.