Comfort for Christians
by Arthur W. Pink, 1952
AFFLICTION AND GLORY
"For our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."(2 Corinthians 4:17)
These words supply us with a reason why we should not
faint under trials, nor be overwhelmed by misfortunes. They teach us to look
at the trials of time—in the light of eternity. They affirm that the present
buffetings of the Christian exercise a beneficent effect on the inner man.
If these truths were firmly grasped by faith they would mitigate much of the
bitterness of our sorrows.
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." This verse
sets forth a striking and glorious antithesis, as it contrasts our future
state of glory, with our present of affliction. Here there is "affliction,"
there "glory." Here there is a "light affliction," there "exceeding glory."
In our affliction there is both levity and brevity—it is a light affliction,
and it is but for a moment. In our future glory there is solidity and
eternity! To discover the preciousness of this contrast let us consider,
separately, each member, but in the inverse order of mention.
1. "A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
It is a significant thing that the Hebrew word for
"glory" also means "weight." When weight is added to the value of gold or
precious stones, this increases their worth. Heaven's happiness cannot be
told out in the words of earth; figurative expressions are best calculated
to convey some imperfect views to us. Here in our text one term is piled up
on top of another. That which awaits the believer is "glory," and when we
say that a thing is glorious we have reached the limits of human language to
express that which is excellent and perfect. But the "glory" awaiting us is
weighted, yes it is "far more exceeding" weighty than anything terrestrial
and temporal; its value defies computation; its transcendent excellency is
beyond verbal description. Moreover, this wondrous glory awaiting us is not
evanescent and temporal, but Divine and eternal; for "eternal" it could not
be unless it were Divine. The great and blessed God is going to give us that
which is worthy of Himself, yes that which is like Himself—infinite and
everlasting.
2. "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment."
(1) "Affliction" is the common lot of human existence.
"Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7). This is part
of the result of sin. It is not fit that a fallen creature should be
perfectly happy in his sins. Nor are the children of God exempted; "Through
much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). By a
hard and rugged road, does God lead us to glory and immortality.
(2) Our affliction is "light." Afflictions are not light
in themselves, for ofttimes they are heavy and grievous; but they are light
comparatively! They are light when compared with what we really deserve.
They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But
perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight
of glory which is awaiting us. As said the same apostle in another place,
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
(3) "Which is but for a moment." Should our afflictions
continue throughout a whole lifetime, and that life be equal in duration to
Methuselah's, yet is it momentary if compared with the eternity which
is before us. At most our affliction is but for this present life, which is
as a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Oh that
God would enable us to examine our trials in their true perspective.
3. Note now the connection between the two. Our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, "works for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory." The present is influencing the future. It is
not for us to reason and philosophize about this, but to take God at His
Word and believe it. Experience, feelings, observation of others—may seem to
deny this fact. Ofttimes afflictions appear only to sour us and make us more
rebellious and discontented. But let it be remembered that afflictions are
not sent by God for the purpose of purifying the flesh: they are designed
for the benefit of the "new man." Moreover, afflictions help to prepare us
for the glory hereafter. Affliction draws away our heart from the love of
the world; it makes us long more for the time when we shall be translated
from this scene of sin and sorrow; it will enable us to appreciate (by way
of contrast) the things which God had prepared for those who love Him.
Here then is what faith is invited to do: to place in one
scale the present affliction, in the other, the eternal glory. Are they
worthy to be compared? No, indeed. One second of glory will more than
counterbalance a whole lifetime of suffering! What are years of toil, of
sickness, of battling against poverty, of persecution, yes, of a martyr's
death—when weighed over against the pleasures at God's right hand, which are
for evermore! One breath of Paradise will extinguish all the adverse winds
of earth! One day in the Father's House will more than counterbalance the
years we have spent in this dreary wilderness. May God grant unto us that
faith which will enable us to anticipatively lay hold of the future and live
in the present enjoyment of it.