I was gearing up to write about some thoughts on John 20:17 and was reading Matthew-Henry’s commentary, when I was caught by what he said on another verse entirely. About verse 11 he writes:

“We are likely to seek and find, when we seek with affection, and seek in tears. But many believers complain of the clouds and darkness they are under, which are methods of grace for humbling their souls, mortifying their sins, and endearing Christ to them. A sight of angels and their smiles, will not suffice, without a sight of Jesus, and God’s smiles in him.”

It’s extremely easy to forget that the gloom we are under today is often among God’s gracious means of bringing sanctification tomorrow.

For the believer, it may be that the hardest part is not overcoming that difficulty or pain, but learning to embrace it while it is here as a tool God is using. Learning to believe that it is a tool God is using. And learning to expect and search for God’s gracious hand in it.

These are things that, for me, do not come with any kind of ease, but are a perpetual struggle. Thank you Matthew-Henry for the reminder and a renewed sense of confidence.