We need to know more of our true character as strangers here; it would remove many difficulties out of our path and make many things pleasant which are now really very trying. People think very little of many inconveniences and hardships they have to endure while on a journey away from home which, if at home, would not be so easy to put up with. We shall have plenty of rest and ease when at home in the Father's house. Besides, if we are looking onward with delight and joy to something which is coming, we do not feel the pressure of present things half so much as those who are not doing so. We, therefore, do well at times to keep that bright day of glory before our souls, knowing that it will soon burst upon our view in all its eternal realities; and in the light of that glory, present things look so little-oh, so little! On the other hand, everything connected with Christ and His Church appears so weighty-oh, so weighty!
I wish these things had more power over us all, for I see very plainly that much of the weakness and failure among God's people is because heavenly things are so little before our minds. We get to looking at the things which are seen instead of the things which are unseen, and our souls get dragged down by them. It would not be so if we were more occupied with Christ up there and His glory down here, ever ready to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
May the Lord keep us from looking for ease or satisfaction in this world as a way to be happy, for if we do we shall be sadly disappointed. For in the Lord alone, lasting joy is to be found. We ought to be drawing from Him now, moment by moment, but we are prone continually to look for it in something down here. This is a great mistake, and when earthly-minded, we reap sorrow instead of joy (Phil. 4:44Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)).