We are to distinguish between Trial of Faith and chastisement:
in the former case we readily bow, and bring forth fruits of
grace; but if we be rebellious, we are under correction.
Paul's thorn in the flesh was God's gift to preserve him from
pride, although it was the messenger of Satan to buffet him.
Thus God uses the Wicked One for our profit, for the glory of
His all-sufficient grace, and for the Tempter's confusion.
Our trials are needful now for the exercise and growth of faith,
and no less needful for our joy and glory at the appearing of
the Lord.
Temptation to sin is painful to us only as we are sanctified
by the Spirit of grace, and walk with God.
We ought not to wish for deliverance from trial until the trial
has done its office. Shall the gold be taken out of the furnace
before the dross has been consumed?
Faith's expectation in the day of trouble is large showers of
blessing.
Sorrow and temptation (Pet. 1:6.7) are the seeds of joy and praise.
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Ps. 126:5).
Confidence in God proves itself in time of Trial; it grows in
the day of battle. David, in the valley of Elah, was most bold
when the giant cursed him, and drew nigh to slay him.
God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places
in Christ: we have oneness with Christ; we have faith and the
Spirit: what more, then, do we need but the Trial of Faith and
the Spirit's fellowship?
If we have a steadfast purpose to overcome temptation, sooner
or later we surely prevail. Abraham, through the weakness of
the flesh, did not leave his father when God commanded him to
go into the land of Canaan; but it was his steadfast purpose
to obey God; so that at the last, when he offered up Isaac, he
conferred not with flesh and blood.
Are we content to leave our cause in the hands of God? Job should
have done this at the first; but by justifying himself he increased
his trouble.
James 1:2. "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."
There is grace in Christ for our fulfilling the precept.
If, being tried, I am entangled in unbelief, I cannot count my
Trial joy; so to do, I must by the Spirit's power resist the
Tempter.
Satan has no pity on us, be we sick or well: if he leave us for
a season, it is because the time decreed is spent, and he cannot
exceed his commission.
Faith never expects to learn _deep_ lessons without _deep_ difficulties;
therefore she is not surprised by strange and dark providences.
How many are apt to say, "My temptation is peculiar!" But we
should remember that it is the peculiar aggravations which make
a trial effectual, and should not forget the word, "There hath
no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man" (1 Cor.
10:13).
Our faith is greatly strengthened when we are brought to see
that no arm but God's can help; no wisdom but His can guide;
and no love but His can satisfy.
The thickest cloud brings the heaviest shower of blessings.
Those very circumstances which make unbelief despond are meat
and drink to faith.
Satan is employed for God's people—for their discipline, their
correction, their sifting, but not for their destruction.
Christ often wounds in order to heal; and if He give pain it
is that we may find peace and rest in Himself. His wounds are
full of kindness, and always tend to life, and health, and peace.
We often make this great mistake—we expect in the kingdom
of patience what is only promised in the kingdom of glory; and
we ask God rather for deliverance from the warfare than grace
for it as long as He is pleased that it shall last. Our impatience
for victory often increases the heat of the battle.
To preserve _purity of life_ in time of temptation, we must take
constant heed to _purity of thought_.
God has settled in heaven certain Trials of our Faith, which
will as surely befal us as the crown of glory be given us at
Christ's appearing. God's purposes of grace are a golden chain;
not a link must be missing.
Temptations which find us dwelling in God are to our faith like
winds that more firmly root the tree. (James 1:2-4.)
How much of adversity do we need in order to bring down the lofty
thoughts within us! A knowledge of our own weakness is generally
learnt through humiliation and suffering.
Those trials which put our wisdom to confusion, thwart our pride,
and starve the lusts of the flesh, best fit and enable us to
trust the living God. Let us, then, not suffer such trials to
pass without making right use of them, giving thanks to God for
them all.
He is most likely to fall into temptation and sin who most slights
a warning. He who most truly depends upon the Lord for succour
in the time of temptation, will be the most thankful for counsel
or reproof.
When a trial comes upon me, let me look upon it as sent for a
peculiar blessing. If I receive it thus, I shall not consider
"how heavy it is!" nor ask "when will it be removed?" but "how
much advantage shall I gain through it? and how shall I turn
it to the best account?"
Often when saints, by right steps, bring afflictions upon them,
they are _tempted_ to think their course wrong; but faith seizes
the opportunity of glorifying God. Thus the _apparent_ loss becomes
great gain. (Esth. 4:13-16.)
How much will our trials weigh when this mortal shall have put
on immortality, and we shall appear with Christ in glory? (2
Cor. 4:17.18.)
The troubles of the way do us good service, if they raise the
eyes of our mind to look at things unseen and eternal.
Present faith, not past experience or comfort, keeps us from
fainting in the hour of trial.
Which of us can be kept near to Christ without some thorn in
the flesh?
Faith, patience, and prayer, can overcome all difficulties.
Affliction coming upon God's people is no proof that they are
displeasing Him. Is God with them or not? is the test. Jeremiah
was cast into the dungeon, and sank in the mire; but God was
with him. (Jer. 38.) So was it with Joseph. (Gen. 39:21.)
We can never walk with steady step in the time of trial of our
faith, save as we are looking onward to the resurrection of the
just. In 1 Cor. 15:58, the apostle, in view of it says, "Be ye
steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Difficulties and ill success encourage me; for "the life which
I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
Do we meet with unkindness from brethren? Instead of shooting
our bitter words at them, let us _judge ourselves_; and endeavour,
in love and wisdom, to overcome evil with good.
Is the child of God overwhelmed by the trials of the way, and
ready to turn his back in the day of battle, because of the rage
of hellish powers? Let me remind him that Samson first slew the
lion, and afterwards out of the same lion got honey and to spare.
When God gave Paul the thorn in the flesh, he knew not at first
the value of the gift, and would have cast it away, had he been
left in his own hands. The Lord was his keeper, and taught him,
and us by him, that the strength of Christ is made perfect in
weakness.