"Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof." As the trial and exercise of our day is, so shall our strength be. Saints shall have suffering grace for suffering times. Hours of great outward calamities often prove seasons of the greatest abounding of inward consolation. It is said, Stephen "fell asleep." What! under a shower of stones? Yes: the sweetest sleep he ever experienced. It was preceded by a supernatural sight of glory. He awoke in the full enjoyment of it. He suffered first for Jesus; he is the first who is favored with a view of the glorified Jesus in his kingdom.
How faithful is the Lord we serve! how great are his compassions! how reviving to the soul is the spiritual sight of him! Patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and believers in all ages–the same Lord was the object of their faith; they were comforted by the same Spirit, whose blessed office is to glorify Jesus in the view of believing souls. True, "No man shall see me and live, saith the Lord." Exod. 33:20. Even highly favored Stephen saw not the essential glory of Jehovah, but through the medium of the man Jesus. Whether with his bodily sight, or "in the full vision of faith" and the Holy Ghost, he "saw the glory of God" in the person of the glorified Son of man–this fired his soul with heavenly joy, and inflamed his heart with holy transport.
Faith's views of Jesus have a transforming influence upon the soul. While he is beheld, love is communicated. Ascending hearts to Jesus are favored with descending love from Jesus. Love, received in the heart cheerfully, diffuses its sweet savor around us. It enlarges the feelings of compassion, and opens the mouth in prayer, even for its worst enemies. Thus Stephen prays for his very murderers. When for himself, he stands: when for them, he kneeled down. As though more importunate for them than for himself.
How precious is the sight of Jesus to those who believe! how should our hearts long for clearer views of him! As in his love, so in his person, he is wonderful. He appears in his human form before the throne. The same Man, who loved our persons and bore our sins, still lives and pleads our cause, as our triumphant Conqueror, in our nature, over all our enemies. Thus daily conceive of, look to, and embrace in the arms of faith, thy Lord and thy God. So mayest thou ever comfortably say, "Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." Psalm 31:5.
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