Evening
Time: 10:20 PM PST
"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.