"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." Proverbs 4:18
Sometimes, instead of the sun there is only moonlight, which shows the difference a believer feels in his soul, both in relation to grace and comfort. Both sun and moon give light, but O how far superior is the one to the other: the moon gives a very faint, uncertain light, waxes and wanes, and at best is almost nothing when compared with the light, and the blessed reviving heat of the sun. Hence, my brethren, this world sometimes is a world of mourners. It is said, “that the days of our mourning shall be ended;” for if the text refer to the future state, as no doubt it does, it means that the days of believers here below are very often mournful, trying, and afflicting, though they end in joy, as our Lord intimates in opening his gospel sermon almost with these very words, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). Some, perhaps, may think it is an odd kind of blessing: and though worldly people are fond of the fifth chapter of Matthew, and wonder that Methodists and gospel ministers do not preach oftener on that chapter, I am apt to believe, when you come to preach and open that word, they will not like that chapter any more than any other, because they are for a joyful Christ, and not for any mourning at all. Do you know God in Christ? Let me tell you, the more you are acquainted with him, the more your souls will be kept in a mourning state.
George Whitefield Daily Readings by Randall J. Pederson (editor) is available at any good Christian bookstore. If you don’t have a Christian bookstore near you, you may want to consider purchasing a copy from one of the online book retailers listed below:
