How happy are tried Christians, afterwards!

No calm runs deeper than the one that follows a storm. Who hasn't rejoiced in clear sunshine after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion, we eat the honey. After climbing the Hill of Difficulty, we sit down in the arbor to rest. After traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears with the healing branch from the tree of life.

Our sorrows, like the passing keels of vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them—afterwards. It is peace, sweet, deep peace, that follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls.

See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his best things last, and therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are afterward good things—harsh plowings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied.

If, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy afterwards in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun, what must his sunlight be?

If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol Him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then?

Oh, blessed "afterward!" Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which comes afterwards?

But herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the triumph for the present, but afterward. Wait, O soul, and let patience have her perfect work.