Matthew 13:23

This seemed a strange way for God to prove His favor . “At once”—after what? After heaven was opened and the Spirit descended “like a dove” (v. 10), and the Father voiced His blessing, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (v . 11). Yet it is not an abnormal experience.

You, my soul, have also experienced it. Aren’ t your times of deepest depression the moments that immediately follow your loftiest highs? Just yesterday you were soaring high in the heavens and singing in the radiance of the morning. Today , however , your wings are folded and your song is silent. At noon you were basking in the sunshine of the Father ’s smile, but by evening you were saying from the wilderness, “My way is hidden from the L ORD” (Isaiah 40:27).