“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Heb. 2:10. It is blessed and comforting to know that Christ has laid hold of us, knowing that with a mighty hand He now leads us to glory. By nature we have no glory in ourselves, so if we are to partake of a glorious life, both now and for eternity, then God’s nature must increase in us. However, for us to be able to receive His life and His nature, He needs to lead us on many amazing ways through all kinds of circumstances. He bends us through sufferings and purifies us in the furnace of affliction, and through all this we learn to know His good way and will for us. If we are fully aware that in everything that meets us we are under His good and mighty guidance on the way to glory, the result will be, as it is written, that in all their affliction they were not afflicted. The afflictions will be light and but for a moment and will work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:17. When Christ comes to lead His bride into glory, it will be a flock that He beforehand was able to lead to His own life of glory in the midst of the world’s darkness and wickedness. In life’s many trials they were fully molded through sufferings in the same way as the author of their salvation. If every one of them were to relate in detail his sojourn through life, he could speak of many amazing experiences—and none of them would have wanted to miss any of the things through which God in His wisdom had led them on the way to glory. Those who by nature were proud and stubborn would be able to relate all the things they had to experience in order to be broken down according to the flesh, so that humility and goodness could radiate from them. They will give praise and thanks to God for all eternity out of thankfulness for this great and blessed result. What if only good fortune had smiled on them? Then they would have kept their stiffness and pride for the rest of their lives! May we look forward to the joy that awaits us, as Jesus did, and praise God for everything on the way to glory. Joseph was thrown into the pit and into prison on the way to becoming a ruler. David was an exile, persecuted by envious men on the way to his kingdom. His prophetic and very blessed psalms were born through sufferings, tribulations, battle, and opposition. We need to possess God’s wisdom so He can use us, and we can only receive it through sufferings and faithfulness in the trials of life. Jesus was tempted and tested as we are because He had the same flesh that we have. He suffered, being tempted, and learned obedience by the things He suffered; and thus He increased in wisdom. The author of our salvation was made perfect through sufferings. No one has been as obedient and faithful as He. He endured all of life’s trials without sinning. He is truly a worthy Prince among His brethren.Aksel J. Smith