Antidotes # 2

Antidotes # 2

O my soul, whenever tempted to complain of my difficult lot- think of my deservings! Think of what would have been my eternal doom - if God had not saved me by His sovereign grace! Yes, I do find that looking down into hell silences my complaints, awakens my gratitude, and humbles me in the dust before my God!

Now and then, I get weary and ready to faint along the long and difficult way. The journey appears so long, the road is so rough, the seasons are so trying, the difficulties increase so fast - and my strength and courage are so small. Every little trouble is magnified - and numberless mercies are overlooked! Then I find it of advantage to look forward to - the heavenly crown promised, the glorious mansion provided, and the eternal kingdom prepared. O what a splended close to this dreary pilgrimage! O what a finish to this exhausting race!

A heavenly crown - and a crown for the likes of me! A crown of life, a crown of righteousness! A crown of glory which fades not away.

A mansion - a glorious residence in my Heavenly Father's house. A residence fitted up by Jesus expressly for me. A residence which anticipates all my wishes, gratifies all my desires, and far exceeds my highest expectations!

An eternal kingdom - and a kingdom prepared to express God's highest love, to display God's deepest wisdom, and to exhibit the exuberant riches of God's glorious grace!

Heaven! Oh, what will Heaven be! The vision of God. The presence of Jesus! "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand!" (Psalm 16:11).

Heaven! Oh, what I shall see, hear, feel, and possess in Heaven! "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagines - what God has prepared for those who love Him!" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Looking forward to Heaven - how can I do otherwise than pant for glory? What are the trials along the way - when I think of the end! What are the sorrows of earth - when I think of the joys of Heaven! What are my sufferings for Christ - when compared with the glory which shall be conferred by Christ!

And is it not the province and prerogative of faith to act thus? Does not faith ever look BACK to the Cross of Jesus - for pardon, peace, and reconciliation to God? Does it not look UP to the throne of God - and sigh for fellowship with the Father, and with the Son Jesus Christ? Does it not look DOWN into the eternal pit, the prison, the torments, from which there is no redemption - in order to fill the soul with gratitude, love, and praise? Does it not also look FORWARD to the unfading crown, the eternal kingdom, and the glorious inheritance - and inspire with hallowed pantings for glory? Yes, it is even so!

Then, O gracious God, increase my faith, and help me to look back to Jesus crucified for me - that I may enjoy unspeakable peace, and solid satisfaction of soul!

Help me to look up to Your throne - that I may enjoy the closest, the sweetest, the most hallowed fellowship with You possible!

Help me to look DOWN to the gloomy regions of despair, the abode of misery and woe - that I may be grateful for my deliverance from such a fearful doom!

Help me to look FORWARD to the glory, the splendor, the unspeakable bliss - which is laid up for all who love you, and look for the appearing of Your Son.

May my faith be strong, simple, and rightly directed. May it be influential and work by love. May it grow exceedingly, and be found unto Your praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Author of faith -work faith in me! Object of faith - be ever present with me! End of faith - let me embrace You, and rejoice inYou forever!

~James Smith~

(The End)