"we, too, pass this life in dreams. But it is not yet clear that we are sleeping. We have not yet been freed from sleep. But there will come a time when we shall be aroused and our eyes will be opened, provided that we can believe the Word of God. But if we cannot lay hold of the great confidence in our hearts which the truth and strength of God’s promises requires, at least we should believe in our feeble way, as the fathers did, and not murmur or become weary in our praying and crying out to God. Thus Jacob undoubtedly prayed; for where prayer remains, there the promise and faith must be. Although it is a dimly burning wick (Is. 42:3), yet it does not rage against God. No, it sobs, and with this unutterable groaning the Holy Spirit is joined (cf. Rom. 8:26). He does not let you murmur and be broken by impatience. Therefore if you cannot believe, praise, and pray as you were accustomed to do in prosperity, at least do so as is customary and can be done in adversity. Trust and pray, as is written: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Ps. 50:15).
These things must be set before the church for the strengthening of our faith, lest we fall away from God when we are tried and plagued somewhat harshly. For finally we shall see that our life, no matter how troublesome, has been like a sleep. And although we seemed to be in hell, we shall soon be awakened and shall realize that we have been carried into heaven. We shall wonder at that sudden elevation—an elevation which formerly we were not able even to dream of."
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