“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.

On this day...

• Sustained by Sovereign Grace?Forever - 2011
• The Father Has Given All Things into Jesus? Hands - 2011
• The Law of Pain - 2011
• We are set for the work of showing people the blood of Christ - 2011
• Without confession there is no salvation - 2011
• Expect spiritual prosperity in diligent seeking of Christ - 2011
• Let us strive to be so thoroughly acquainted with God's Word - 2011
• A Call to Prayer - 2011
• THE CROSS: A CALL TO THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RELIGION - 2011
• THE DUTIES OF PARENTS - 2011