Spurgeon: November PM
* 11/14/PM
"And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give
the younger before the firstborn."
--Genesis 29:26
We do not excuse Laban for his dishonesty, but we scruple not
to learn from the custom which he quoted as his excuse. There
are some things which must be taken in order, and if we would
win the second we must secure the first. The second may be the
more lovely in our eyes, but the rule of the heavenly country
must stand, and the elder must be married first. For instance,
many men desire the beautiful and well-favoured Rachel of joy
and peace in believing, but they must first be wedded to the
tender-eyed Leah of repentance. Every one falls in love with
happiness, and many would cheerfully serve twice seven years to
enjoy it, but according to the rule of the Lord's kingdom, the
Leah of real holiness must be beloved of our soul before the
Rachel of true happiness can be attained. Heaven stands not
first but second, and only by persevering to the end can we win
a portion in it. The cross must be carried before the crown can
be worn. We must follow our Lord in His humiliation, or we shall
never rest with Him in glory.
My soul, what sayest thou, art thou so vain as to hope to
break through the heavenly rule? Dost thou hope for reward
without labour, or honour without toil? Dismiss the idle
expectation, and be content to take the ill-favoured things for
the sake of the sweet love of Jesus, which will recompense thee
for all. In such a spirit, labouring and suffering, thou wilt
find bitters grow sweet, and hard things easy. Like Jacob, thy
years of service will seem unto thee but a few days for the love
thou hast to Jesus; and when the dear hour of the wedding feast
shall come, all thy toils shall be as though they had never
been--an hour with Jesus will make up for ages of pain and
labour.
Jesus, to win Thyself so fair,
Thy cross I will with gladness bear: Since so the rules of heaven ordain,
The first I'll wed the next to gain.