When we turn away from the world, and leave it, we ourselves are not left
to desolation and orphanhood. When we "come out from among them" the Lord
receives us! He is waiting for us. The new companionship is ours the
moment the old companionship is ended. "I will not leave you comfortless."
What we have lost is compensated by infinite and eternal gain. We have
lost "the whole world" and gained "the unsearchable riches of Christ."
And therefore separation is exaltation. We leave the muddy pleasures of
Sodom and we "drink of the river of His pleasures." We leave "the garish
day," and all the feverish life of Vanity Fair, and He maketh us "to lie
down in green pastures," "He leadeth us beside the still waters." We leave
a transient sensation, we receive the bread of eternity. We forfeit
fireworks, we gain the stars!
What fools we are, and blind! We prefer the scorched desert of Sodom to
the garden of Eden. We prefer a loud reputation to noble character. We
prefer delirium to joy. We prefer human applause to the praise of God. We
prefer a fading garland to the crown of life. Lord, that we may receive
our sight!