The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: John 13:1-10

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
John 13:7

Now and Hereafter

Here is a word of light and comfort for every troubled and perplexed heart. Peter questioned the Master’s doings; he couldn’t understand them. At first, he refused to let Jesus have His way. But after hearing the Master’s firm and reassuring words, he yielded and thus received the blessing.
How like Peter we all are. We, too, want to understand God’s ways. And so, our proud intellect refuses to assent, our stubborn heart refuses to yield. We murmur and complain, rebel and repine. Our Lord must speak firmly to us: “If you do not follow my way, you will have no part with me.”
And yet, such is the compassion of our Savior that He adds the Word of promise and assurance: “afterward you will understand.” And always, the promise comes true. Countless believers will testify to the fact that “afterward you will understand.” And always the promise comes true. Countless believers will testify to the fact that this “afterward” began already for them in this life, that in later years they could clearly see that God had loved them dearly. They then understood that His thoughts were higher than their thoughts, His ways higher than their ways. And the unnumbered saints made perfect in heaven will declare in an eternal “afterward” that God made no mistake, that He truly led them in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Here we behold the earthward side of the cloud of sorrow, and it looks dark. Afterward, we shall find it very bright. Trust Jesus. The rainbow of His divine wisdom and love is ever shining above the storm clouds.

February 01, 1939