SOME years ago, when feeling rather unwell, I was recommended to get and use what was then largely advertised, namely, “a bitter cup, a tonic of Brea efficacy.” Whatever was drunk from this medicated cup was made bitter, and the bitterness was supposed to operate to the good of the body.
Perhaps my friend did not know that I already had a “bitter cup” in the house, or that it was “a tonic of great efficacy.” Well; that is some years ago. But I know more about bitter cups now than I did then. I find very few Christians who are without one. It may not be always on the table, or in the hand; but it is in the cupboard, or somewhere else in the house. The cups advertised used to cost two shillings, and were to be used twice a day: but I have no need now to be a customer, nor is my medicine limited to two doses in a day.
My friend A. is a good man, and one who wishes to. live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world. He has a godly wife, and a comfortable home. He has good health and earns good wages. His motto is, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” But he is one of a number of men employed in the same business, and some of his fellow-workmen are infidels, some profane swearers, some mockers and persecutors of the godly; so that, like Lot, his righteous soul is daily vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. This is his “bitter cup.” If you saw him at home you would say, “What a happy man he must be!” If you saw him only in the house of prayer, you would say, “Who can have greater cause to be grateful?” And this he feels. But his Sunday is often disturbed with thoughts of the coming week, and his devotions are spoiled by what he has heard at shop harassing him in the sanctuary. But home is endeared, the value of the Lord’s-day is enhanced, and the sweet peace of the sanctuary is rendered doubly precious by what he suffers when at his employment, and so his “bitter cup” proves a tonic for his soul.
I sometimes visit a family where the parents are believers, and in themselves very happy. Their house is their own, and their business is good. You look around their home, and think there can be very little to cause them sorrow. But they have a son who causes them grief. They cannot control him, and he is a source of both sorrow and shame to them. This is indeed a “bitter cup” for them; but I believe it has often made them pour out their hearts to the Lord.
My friends G. appeared to have their lot cast in a pleasant place, and to possess a goodly heritage. Happy in each other, but happier still in God, all seemed to go well with them. I could see no “bitter cup” in their dwelling. But they had a lovely intelligent child, of which, perhaps, they thought too much, and, perhaps, loved too ardently. They watched over it with the greatest care, and sought by all means to train it up for God and glory. It was a sunbeam in the house, a sunbeam in the eye, and a sunbeam in the heart. But it, took a slight cold, it gradually grew thin and pale, it became weak and feeble. Fear was excited, every means was tried to restore health, but it drooped and died. This was a “bitter cup.” What tears were shed! What prayers were offered! What distress was felt! But all was in vain. The little one’s name was written in heaven. The darling’s doom was sealed, an early grave was to receive the body, and a holy heaven was to furnish a home for the soul. Yet this proved a blessing too, for Jesus occupied the dear one’s place, and became the object of their individual affections.
I might enumerate some others, including my own. But there is a bitterer cup than any I have named, and that is the cup of wrath. Jesus drank this for all His own loved ones; and therefore it will never be put into a believer’s hand. None of us can conceive how bitter that cup was, which He drank quite up that sinners might live. We may indeed taste a little of it, though not penally, when we smart for our sins. But O, my fellow-sinner, if grace prevent not, if you are not brought to repentance for your own sin and to faith in Christ, you will have to drink this bitter cup forever! Many an infidel on a dying bed has begun to drink of this cup of wrath. O my friend, stop and think before you go a step further! Do you want to drink the cup of wrath forever? But, blessed be God, there is a cup of mercy and life. If you are thirsty, come and drink. You are abundantly welcome. You may buy wine and milk without money and without price. The water of life, the love of God in Christ, proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb; and “whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”