God Measures Our Trials

I am so glad that the Lord knows the full measure of the trials which he permits to come upon his people. There is help for us in God. The obstructions that seem to us like impossibilities, God can and will remove. He desires us to learn our lessons of humiliation, and in learning these, we shall learn lessons of encouragement. We shall be led to depend on God as we see how unable we are to carry out his purposes in our own strength.

Let all the workers in Nashville seek the Lord in prayer. He has placed means in the hands of his stewards for the advancement of his work. Wealthy unbelievers will be impressed to return to the Lord his own. God has led such ones to help the work in New York. Men not of our faith, but favorable to the truth, have helped in many ways, and we are praying and expecting that they will help still more.

While I feel all the interest in the Southern field that I have ever felt, I realize that there is much to be done in other parts of the vineyard. The State of New York has been presented before me, and also the great city of New York, with Brooklyn and Jersey City and their suburbs.

When trials come, do not give way to discouragement. Complaining and murmuring weaken the soul and dishonor God. Does it become us to be so ready with complaint? Are not the tokens of God’s love sufficient to fill our hearts with thanksgiving and praise? Jesus desires us to trust in him, bearing patiently the delays we can not help. He remembers every word he has spoken to lead his children to trust in him. He is ever mindful of his covenant. His word will never fail. May the Lord increase our faith in our Intercessor.

We are under obligation to will to do the will of God. By striving to be like the Saviour, we are to prepare ourselves for service. He is working for us. We have an advocate in the heavenly courts, who is ever making intercession for us. The cry of the one ready to perish finds swift entrance to his ear. «He shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper.» Shall we not work for Christ on the lines that he has marked out? Shall we not be advocates of those who are in need of help? «Having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.»

«It became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.»

Christ suffered, being tempted; therefore he always sympathizes with the tempted ones, whom Satan is seeking to destroy. That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest, he was in all things made like those he came to help. He has compassion on the ignorant and on those who are out of the way; for when he was on this earth he was compassed with infirmities. He is able to help us in our perplexities. As he works for us, let us work for one another, striving to promote unity and harmony. Let us reveal Christ-like love for our fellow workers, acting in such a way that they will have full confidence in us. Think of the rich encouragement the Saviour has given us, which we in turn are to give to others.

Many more than we suppose need a helping hand held out to them. There are many to whom words of compassion and sympathy would be as a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. Are you doing Christ service by ministering to weary, discouraged fellow beings?

Let those with whom the Lord has dealt so mercifully say, not one good thing has failed of all that the Lord has spoken. «All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.» God’s promises are Yea and Amen. Let us open the door of the lips to speak words of hope and courage to our fellow workers. In love and pity God has helped us. Shall we not impart his grace to others? —