God sometimes sends us a wintry season that we may the better
bring forth summer fruit.
It is the way of the Lord to work for a season, as it were, under
ground: and as the seed that dies in the earth, through dying,
comes to life, so God will seem to cut off the hope of fruit
of our labour; yet when we have humbled ourselves under His hand,
and He has secured the glory to Himself, He will put forth His
power and bring to life our buried hopes.
There may be much communion with God when there is but little
comfort in the soul, and much fruitfulness when there is but
little joy and gladness. We bear fruit when we credit the Word
of God against appearances, and when we submit our will to His.
There is no security for our bringing forth fruit in time to
come, if we are not bringing forth fruit in the present hour.
How often we fail and miscarry toward the end of a trial of patience!
Do not expect to make great strides at once in believing; or
that deep sanctification is to be wrought in a day.
We can never be said to have outlived our usefulness, unless
we have outlived our spirituality.
We must first come to the withering of the flesh, before we can
become spiritually strong and fruitful.