The beautiful roses are protected by thorns, many of which are hidden
away beneath the presentation of beauty. Roses are not often plucked
without the one who would enjoy their fragrance realizing a pain by
being pricked in an attempt to secure the sweet-scented flower as his
own. Just why the thorns are there we do not know. Many a young recruit
looks with admiration upon the veteran skill of the soldier who has been
through fierce battles and has come forth as a hero. But his fame was
not obtained without hardships and wounds, as the scars which he carries
give testimony. About us on every side are veterans of the cross of
Christ, those whose lives we admire, whose experiences we covet, but
back of them no doubt are the pricking thorns in the form of trials,
which have proved to be stepping-stones to the beautiful life of faith
and devotion and which have graced their spiritual pathway. The roses
are none the less fragrant and beautiful because of the hidden thorns
beneath them. Neither is the life of a Christian less brilliant and
radiant because of the trials and temptations along the way.
The enjoyment of a Christian life is what we make it. The darkest,
saddest life ever known, the most dejected person in existence, the one
who is surrounded constantly by infamy, blasphemy, and dark forebodings,
or that one whose life has been a failure and who through adversity is
doomed to spend his days behind prison-walls, can find a haven of rest
in this life and in the life to come. It is through the grace of God
that such can be accomplished.
No matter what your sin is or has been, you can have deliverance and
peace that the world can not understand. A firm decision and trust in
God will take you through by his grace. When trials come, tell the Lord
about them, "casting all your cares upon him, for he careth for you."
Oh the riches of his grace, the power of his love! There is an abundance
in the great storehouse of our heavenly Father subject to our petitions,
and he offers his heavenly riches freely and his blessings to be poured
out without measure.
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be
glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without
end" (Eph. 3:20, 21). "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"
(Heb. 4:16).