TRIBULATION.
In the world ye shall have tribulation.—John, xvi. 33.
We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.—Acts, xiv. 22.
Patient in tribulation.—Romans, xii. 12.
The wisdom of this world is idiotism;
Strength, a weak reed; health, sickness’ enemy;
(And it at length will have the victory;)
Beauty is but a painting; and long life
Is a long journey in December gone:
Tedious and full of tribulation.
Dekkar.
Begone unbelief, my Saviour is near,
And for my relief will surely appear;
By prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform;
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.
His love in time past forbids me to think
He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink;
Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,
Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.
Why should I complain of want or distress,
Temptation or pain? he told me no less!
The heirs of salvation, I know from His word,
Through much tribulation must follow their Lord.
Newton.
Lo! round the throne, a glorious band,
The saints, in countless myriads, stand;
Of ev’ry tongue, redeem’d to God,
Array’d in garments wash’d in blood!
Through tribulation great they came;
They bore the cross, despis’d the shame;
But now from all their labours rest,
In God’s eternal glory bless’d.
Duncan.
Thou dost conduct Thy people
Through torrents of temptation
Nor will we fear, while Thou art near,
The fire of tribulation.
De Courcey.