The Valley Of Baca

To many persons the problem of suffering is almost impossible of solution. Such various questions arise about it, which unassisted nature can not answer satisfactorily: why this? and whence the other? and to what end? and how that? Of those who have no inward, revealing light of the Spirit, no strong, living trust in God, some are stunned, dismayed, bewildered; and others are driven to doubt, and almost to despair.
But to Christian faith none of these things are perplexing. It reckons of God with such unquestioning submission that impatience has no place, complaint and unhappiness no reason.
Why the good, at times, suffer so severely, while the wicked are exempt; why some of them suffer so much more than others,--are facts which will find amplest explanation in eternity's light. Is it improbable that reading such explanation, and finding such vindication of God's justice and love, will furnish much of the bliss and the reward of the saved? Until then, faith awaits with patience the issues of time, and, with Job, exclaims, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him;" or, with the prophet Habakkuk, sings: "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Until then, faith and reason, Scripture and experience, will see wisdom in all God's appointments, love in all life's allotments.