May 8

At evening time it shall be light.—Zechariah 14:7.

DOES the blessed assurance that trouble shall have an end, give me comfort? When I am impatient under it, is it not better to think of Christ's sufferings, and his perfect submission under them all, than to dwell on my own? Has not God promised that all things shall work together for good to his children? And is not the discipline of sorrow intended to bring me so near to the Saviour, that the light of his countenance shall shine brightly upon me?

"Why should I murmur?" said Henry Martyn, in his last sickness, "weakness, peril and pain are but ministering angels who are conducting me to glory." The best have hours of trial and darkness, but their tears like the rain-drops when shot through by sun-beams, do but throw the bow of promise on the clouds, and declare that the storm is passing away, and that God's mercy shall never cease.

The cloud which appeared to Ezekiel, though it carried winds and storms, was environed with a golden circle, to teach that the storms of affliction which happen to God's children, are encompassed with brightness and smiling joy in the end.—CAUSSIN.

Break through the brambles and thorns that beset thee;

Dread not the gloom and the blackness of night; Lean on the Hand that will safely conduct thee;

Trust to his eyes to whom darkness is light. Clouds are not substance; then fear not their darkness.

When their gloom gathers, the light from above Gleams out in brightness, in safety to guide thee, While resting in hope on God's infinite love.