Object of Trials by MRS. FLORA E. POST

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 16, 1915

Object of Trials

By MRS. FLORA E. POST

MRS. FLORA E. POST

How often, when in contact with others, are we reminded of the fact that all lives have their Marah, or bitter drafts. Some are more successful than others in disguising them, but, oh, the sadness and grief that sin has brought! We ask ourselves the question, What is its mission, and how can we bear the load? Our Saviour expressed the same thought in the garden when he cried, “If it be possible, let this cup pass;” but no, he suffered on, and well for us that he drank it to the dregs. “Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” It was after they had been tested that we read that Caleb and Joshua wholly followed the Lord. Num. 32: 11, 12.

Moses had a forty years’ experience, but he became the meekest man upon the earth. Job exclaimed, “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Oh, that we, too, might cease struggling, and submit to him who has undertaken our salvation. If we bend to the storm, instead of defying it, we shall not be broken. We must have this experience, to loosen the cords earthward; then welcome the storm that serves to draw us nearer home.

So many lives are wrecked on this wheel of sorrow and trial. In spite of them, take up life’s round of duty without complaint or protest, and enter whole-heartedly into the interests of others, not permitting our experience to cast a shadow upon another’s joy.

The mission of grief and trial is not to destroy nor stultify life, but illumine and intensify it; not to make the sufferer a useless member of society, but to develop a quickened sympathy and keener insight, to the end that life may become richer and more fruitful. Learn to sing away the pain, and use the comfort given from above to brighten and cheer less fortunate lives. By so doing, we pass on living light rather than drag out a meaningless existence. Sometimes life’s greatest lessons are learned while passing through some supreme test or sorrow. At any rate, the lesser griefs lose much of their power to vex or annoy. We speak of being in darkness, or under a cloud, at such times. David says in Ps. 97: 2 that God dwells in the midst of clouds; so he is nearer us in trial. He was seen standing by the side of the three in the midst of the fiery furnace. Should not we learn to rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulation, and to continue instant in prayer? The gardener prunes only those plants which he sees are capable of bearing fruit.

“The fact that we are called upon to endure trial, proves that the Lord Jesus sees in us something very precious, which he desires to develop. If he saw in us nothing whereby he might glorify his name, he would not spend time in refining us. . . . Christ does not cast worthless stones into his furnace. It is valuable ore that he tests. . . . The Lord allows his chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction, in order that he may see what temper they are of, and whether he can mold and fashion them for his work.”

“It may be that much work needs to be done in your character building, that you are a rough stone which must be squared and polished before it can fill a place in God’s temple. You need not be surprised if with hammer and chisel God cuts away the sharp corners of your character, until you are prepared to fill the place he has for you. No human being can accomplish this work. Only by God can it be done. And be assured that he will not strike one useless blow. His every blow is struck in love, for your eternal happiness. He knows your infirmities, and works to restore, not to destroy.” Nowhere are we promised salvation from trial, but we are promised salvation from defeat. Though severely tried, Paul called his afflictions light, and died a conqueror. 2 Cor. 11: 24-27; 4: 15. May we, too, with courage hold, let love grow warm, amid the sunshine and the storm, and come a conqueror to our rest.

Lansing, Mich.