No lack of comfort in her heart, for the
Comforter Himself, the Holy Spirit, had been invited and had come
in. One had the Comforter in fullness, the other had not.
Probably, no man ever suffered more than Paul, but with soldier-
like fortitude he bore his heavy burdens, faced his constant and
exacting labours, endured his sore trials, disappointments, and
bitter persecutions by fierce and relentless enemies; he stood
unmoved amid shipwrecks, stripes and imprisonments, cold, hunger,
and homelessness without a whimper that might suggest repining or
discouragement, or an appeal for pity. Indeed, he went beyond
simple uncomplaining fortitude, and said, "we glory in tribulation"
(Romans v. 3); "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation"
(2 Cor. vii. 4); "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,
in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake"
(2 Cor. xii. 10). After a terrible scourging upon his bare back,
he was thrust into a loathsome inner dungeon, his feet fast in
the stocks, with worse things probably awaiting him on the morrow.
Nevertheless, we find him and Silas, his companion in suffering,
at midnight praying and singing praises unto God (Acts xvi. 25).
What is his secret? Listen to him: "Because the love of God is
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto
us" (Romans v. 5). His prayer for his Ephesian brethren had been
answered in his own heart: "That He would grant you, according to
the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His
Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by
faith.
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