Thou Shalt Understand Hereafter

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: General | Oct 1976

There are many shades of meaning in the word "understand", but the one which concerns us most here is that of gentle thoughts and feelings for one another. There is such a great need for this in the troublous days of stress and sorrow we are now sharing, and perhaps our hearts need to be touched, awakened, appealed to, for such helpful understanding which will help to ease the burden so many are bearing.

This is a special message of ministry, then, on behalf of those of God's people passing through the furnace of affliction. Some are in the throes of sickness, bringing with it the anxiety of long-term treatment; others are knowing the deep sorrow of bereavement; while others are experiencing family problems which appear to have no solution; and not a few have known disappointments and set-backs for reasons which remain inexplicable. It may just seem at the present time that our

"Days are filled with sorrow and care,

Hearts are lonely and drear."

Joy perhaps seems at its ebb4ide; no man careth; refuge seems to have failed us (Psa. 142:4). Like David we have cried, made supplication, poured out our complaint, and showed before the Lord our trouble (w. 1,2). Bewilderment replaces understanding; anxiety displaces peace; depression overtakes joy. sometimes we feel absolutely alone in all that is taking place, overwhelmed by the feeling that "it must only be happening to me. And why?" This is the time when help is most needed from those who have been through a like experience. Those who can show empathy, a fellow feeling, as well as sympathy. Those who can provide practical help and understanding. It is wrong to assume, of course, that we are the only ones whose lives seem to be touched. We are not alone in this, and invariably we discover people who are in far worse circumstances than ourselves.

The amount of fruitful service for God which comes from the apparent lonely winepress of human affliction is a marvel in itself. Blindness did not hinder Fanny Crosby from writing some 5,000 hymns. It is said that she withheld one to be published after her death, and that was entitled, "Some day the silver cord will break". Through the mist of her many years of infirmity, she looked for the clear day when "I shall see Him face to face". A frail, sickly body housed the glowing, devoted spirit of Frances Ridley Havergal, for a mere 40 years; but during that time she poured out thousands of precious thoughts in prose and poetry. The man who wrote "Man of Sorrows", P.P. Bliss, died with his wife in a train accident at the age of 38. His work here had been counted complete by God in half a lifetime. William Cowper suffered so severely from melancholic depression during his Christian life, that he attempted to commit suicide on one occasion. He ordered a London "Cabbie" to drive him to the Thames Embankment where he intended drowning himself in the river. At the commencement of the journey a thick fog surrounded the area, but the driver proceeded and ultimately stopped at what he thought was the embankment. Cowper got out of the cab and found to his consternation that he was back at his own doorstep. He attributed his deliverance to God's intervention, which prompted him to write the hymn which has been blessed to so many Christians,

"God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm."

It was said to be one of the last of his hymns before he became totally incapacitated. Two other verses say:

"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning Providence

He hides a smiling face."

At no time will God give us burdens greater than we can bear; or try us beyond our strength. Peter speaks of Christians being put through manifold trials for a little while as a proof of their faith (1 Pet. 1:6). Paul mentions some whose joy increased as the result of their affliction (2 Cor. 8:2). And the apostle himself had to endure during his lifetime a troublesome thorn in the flesh, which the Lord refused to remove. With it He gave Paul the promise, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).

God's purpose in putting us through the varied experiences of life is for our own benefit, and so that we can be a help to others. We do not always understand what is happening to us and to others, so we must trust Him as the One who knows the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10). We must cry out in faith, "Lord, Thou knowest all things" (John 21:17). It was to the man who made that confession that the Lord said in the Upper Room, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter" (John 13:7). It referred to one incident only in Peter's life, but it is a sound principle on which faith can rest at all times. Our God is too loving to be unkind; and too wise to make a mistake. Let us seek out those who need comfort and courage, and bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2). It is a work of love. It is fulfilling the desire of the great Burden-Bearer Himself; the One who showed unmatched compassion, mercy, and encouragement when needed. In heaven He continues that very same work for His people today. "For we have not a High Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace" (Heb. 5:15,16). It is in these verses we get our English word sympathy. The Greek word sumpathesai is translated "Be touched with the feeling of". What is true of the Man in the Glory should be true of His people on earth. How deep is my sympathy, my understanding, for my brother, for my sister? Deep enough to seek them out? to draw near to them with help and encouragement?

"Not now, but in the coming years,

It may be in the better land,

We'll read the meaning of our tears,

And there, some time, we'll understand.

We'll know why clouds instead of sun

Were over many a cherished plan;

Why song has ceased when scarce begun;

'Tis there, some time, we'll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days;

Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise;

Some time, some time, we'll understand."