Morning

In the world ye shall have tribulation.

-John xvi 33

Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly Father, and behold Him purely and holy. Dost thou know that thou art one day to be like Him?... Wilt thou not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to purify thee?...

Next, Christian, turn thine downward... Thou wast once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects... Expect trouble...

Then look around thee. Thou art in enemy's country, a stranger and a sojourner... Be assured that thou shalt find foeman everywhere... As mosquitos are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of the earth be sharpest to you.

Lastly, look within thee... Sin and self are still within... "the heart is deceitful above all things..."

Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is with thee to help and to strengthen thee. He hath said, "I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honour thee."

-C.H. Spurgeon