God's Hidden Smile

Through the lives of Bunyan, Brainerd, and Cowper, Piper shows us that great spiritual privileges come with great pain. It is clear from Scripture that this is God's design: "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations," Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7, "a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure." Great privilege, great pain, God's design. What was the fruit of this affliction? And what was the rock upon which it grew? Consider their stories and be encouraged that no labor or suffering in the path of Christian obedience is in vain. "Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face."