"He that sat upon the throne said 'Behold, I make all things new.'" Revelation 21:5.
To make things new is not the same as to make new things. To make new things is the work of the hand; to make things new is the work of the heart. Whenever one sits upon the throne of the heart, all things are made new. They are made so without changing a line, without altering a feature. Enthrone in your heart an object of love, and you have renewed the universe. You have given an added note to every bird, a fresh joy to every brook, a fairer tint to every flower. The greater part of this world is painted from within. Its deepest colors are given to the eye by the heart; when the heart grows pale, nature grows wan. When Christ sits upon the throne of the heart, He brings roses to the field. He does not make new things, but He makes things new. I do not think we are aware how much the value of a thing depends upon a thought. What is the difference between the wound inflicted by the surgeon and the wound inflicted by the malefactor? It is a thought - the difference between a purpose of pain and a purpose of mercy. Such is the change which, to me, Christ makes on this world. It is a mental change - altering the physical view. It is just the difference between a purpose of pain and a purpose of love. I once thought the ills of life were messages of vengeance - the thunderbolts of a vindictive God. But when Christ mounted my heart's throne, the thunderbolts became musical. Death was a chariot to bear me home. Pain was an operation to heal disease. Bereavement was a lifting of my treasures to a safer bank. Poverty was the test of my love. Clouds were the trial of my faith. Surprise was the proof of my patience. The fires of life were the cleansing of the golden chain.
O Thou who art seated upon the throne of the heart, my knowledge of Thy love has made all things fair. The emerald rainbow of my soul has put new lights in the sky. Yesterday the whole creation was groaning and traveling in spirit; but it was in spirit, not in fact; it was a thought in the soul that put sackcloth on the sky. To-day there has come a new thought to my soul; and creation groans no more. The world has caught fire from the joy of my love; the heavens declare its glory; the earth showeth its handiwork. Not only does the Jay sing it; the very night reflects it. Dark places have caught the glow of Thy presence. Every valley has been exalted; service has been ennobled, sacrifice has been beautified, patient suffering has been reverenced, humility has been made regal, self-restraint has been glorified, the sharing of sorrow has been called blessed, the surrender of the will has been called Divine. The virtues of the vale have become the merits of the mount; the poor in spirit have the kingdom, the meek have the inheritance, the sacrificial have the comfort, the unsatisfied have the promise, the merciful have the crown, the peace-makers have the royalty, the martyrs for truth have the empire over all. Jesus, the very thought of Thee has made this world new! Dr. George Matheson
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