Trial Brings Us to God

The Lord permits trials to come to his loved ones in order that through trial they may have increased knowledge concerning the God of their salvation. The Lord says, «Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as tho some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.» Again he says to those who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, that for a season they are «in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, tho it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.»

James writes: «My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.» «Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons. . . . Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.»

We may say with Job: «He knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.» «For thou, O God, hast proved us; thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.» Our heavenly Father gave his only-begotten Son to cope with the powers of darkness, and to restrain Satanic agencies, so that they might not prevail against his tried and chosen ones, and overcome and destroy them. Jesus, our great High Priest, is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and he works to bind up those who are wounded and bruised by the enemy. He does not leave the tempted soul to the mercy of the destroyer. The children of God are to work in Christ’s lines. They are to seek the wandering, straying sheep of his pasture. Those who claim to love God are to form a guard around perishing souls to save them from ruin. Instead of saying, «Let the erring go, we will not try to help them,» we are to strengthen the hands which hang down, and confirm the feeble knees. We shall never form characters after the divine similitude if we cherish the meager, stunted piety that looks out only for our individual selves, and does not lead us to do earnest, positive work for the salvation of others. We are to let our light shine in such a way as to guide souls into the haven of safety, that they may find refuge in Christ. Those who have not a positive religion, have no influence to entice others into the fold of safety. Their religion brings dishonor on the truth, and gives those who are not of our faith an excuse for their own defective lives. Those who are indolent, who center everything upon self, bring contempt upon the cause they profess to love.

The Lord permits trials to come upon us in order that we may make earnest, heart-felt intercession. Trial brings us to God, and leads us to form a closer connection with Christ our Saviour. Trial forces us to do as the word of God directs. We put into practice the command, «Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.» Do we believe these words, that are full of divine efficiency? The Lord says, «If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?»

Our sufficiency in every time of need is found in the promise of God. We are to rejoice, to educate our hearts and lips to praise God. We are to speak cheerful words, to travel the path heavenward in such a manner as to make manifest to others that we consider it the greatest privilege that we could possibly have. Rejoice, press closer to Jesus, talk of his love, and tell of his power. Let the youth have excellent examples before them, that they may see what is Christian fortitude, courage, and stability. Let every word and action be of such a character as will be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Let the youth see in older Christians the way in which they may use their talents for the purpose of honoring their Creator and Redeemer. Experienced Christians should seek the society of the youth in order that they may help them to understand the way of salvation. Let them present the beauty of holiness, and as they teach others, they themselves will learn how to win the feet of the youth to walk in safe paths.

Satan is continually presenting his alluring charms, in order that he may draw the feet of the youth to take their stand under his black banner. He presents evil in false colors Under the semblance of an angel of light, he hides the deformity of his character, and thus deceives thousands. Let not those who are striving for a glorious inheritance with the saints in light, present a forbidding, cold, unsympathetic aspect. Let them not act in such a way as will lead the youth to avoid their society. When this is the case, they are not shining as lights in the world. They are interposing their defective selves between the light of the world and the soul of the sinner. At every step shed light upon the pathway of those with whom you come in contact. Satan has cast his hellish shadow athwart the pathway of every soul, in order that he may eclipse every ray of light that shines from Christ to the human agent. Both young and old will have to encounter trials, but let faith be encouraged. Let it penetrate through the darkness, so that the soul may enter into that which is within the veil, and walk in the light of the beams of the Sun of Righteousness. He that believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, defeats the powers of darkness, and causes the hosts of heaven to sing a song of triumph. —