Solomon's Porch: Will We Come Out All Right?

When we are hurt 

• we are apt to become cynical; 
• cynicism is a sign that the hurt is recent. 
• A mature mind is never cynical. 

Solomon is not speaking cynically; 

• he goes right down to the facts of life, 
• and comes to the conclusion that there is no way out. 
• There is no way out through reason or intellect; 
• the only way out is on the Bible line - through Redemption.

Robert Browning wrote from the standpoint of Hebrew wisdom, 

• that of unshakeable confidence in God, 
• but he also wrote with the mind of Solomon or Ibsen or Shakespeare 
• for the actual facts of life. 

He blinks nothing, 

• yet underneath is the confidence 
• that the basis of a right direction of things is not a man’s reason 
• but his strong faith that God is not unjust; 
• and that the man who hangs in to the honor of God 
• will come out all right.

He fixed thee midst this dance

    Of plastic circumstance,

    This present thou forsooth would’st fain arrest,

    Machinery just meant

    To give thy soul its bent,

    Try thee and turn thee forth, sufficiently impressed.

   

Then, welcome each rebuff

    That turns earth’s smoothness rough,

    Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand but go!

    Be our joys three parts pain!

    Strive and hold cheap the strain,

    Learn, nor account the pang, dare, never grudge the throe.

- Robert Browning

Adapted Excerpt From

Shade of His Hand

Oswald Chambers