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The Tried and Triumphant

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 52.

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The Tried and Triumphant

By Mrs. Llala V. Everett

MRS. LLALA V. EVERETT
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
THE “perilous times” spoken of in the preceding scripture have arrived, and the perils of the “last days” are thickening all around us. God’s people are right in the midst of these “perils,” which are rushing in like a deluge upon the unprepared. Unbelief and infidelity are filling the churches at an alarming rate. The time has come when “they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” people are turning away “their ears from the truth,” and are “turned unto fables.” “Cunningly devised fables,” “smooth things,” and theories of men are being accepted and substituted for the living word of God, for a “Thus saith the Lord.” The faith of God’s people is being severely tested. The temptations of Satan which so easily beset us, are greater now than ever before; for Satan knows that his time for deception is growing shorter and shorter, and very soon the cases of all who have professed Christ will be decided forever, either for life or for death.
This is the testing time; God’s people are passing through many trials and afflictions. And in order to pass safely through this testing time, we must endure the “trial of our faith” and bear up under all our afflictions, trusting in the strength of the Almighty, whose “graceis sufficient” for us.
The preceding catalogue of sins is found among those “having a form of godliness,” professing to know and to be following the Lord Jesus Christ, “but denying the power thereof;” yet God has a work for his people to do,—a work of perfection, a holy character to build for eternity.
Deep searching of heart is required; for the Lord searcheth “the heart” and trieth “the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer. 17:10; Mal. 3:5; Rev. 22:12. A purifying work is necessary in the lives of God’s people, who must be pure, “even as he is pure.” “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” I John 3: 2, 3. That our lives may be purified the Lord allows great trials and afflictions to come upon us, thus proving us, whether we will walk in his ways or not. We have an example of this work in all the patriarchs and prophets of old.
Business affairs, the cares of this life, and worldly pleasures have so taken up the time and thoughts of some of the people who profess to know God, that he is crowded out of their hearts, and they thereby become blind to the things which God meant for their good, to enable them to “attain unto perfection.”
God’s people should not live and act like the world. They should not partake of the pleasures of this world; for God has called us to “better things.” We are his “peculiar treasure,” a “chosen people.” We are to be different from the world, that we may “show forth the praises of his glory.” “No man can serve two masters.” “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” We are to come out from the world, away from its influence; for God has called us out to be a “separate people.” Yea, Jesus says of his people, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord.” 2 Cor. 6: 17, 18.
It is said of God’s chosen people, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” I Peter 2: 9. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2: 11-14. “And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
In the proving or “trial of our faith” through which God brings his people, they must expect to suffer affliction. “For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. . . . But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place” (Ps. 66:10-12), that we “might learn thy statutes” (Ps. 119:71). In all our trials Christ faithfully cares for us. I Peter 3:12; 5:7. He sits as a refiner. Mal. 3:3. To be partakers of Christ we must “hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Heb. 3:14. And this is the blessed assurance that God gives all those who yield themselves to his purpose: “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28. And this is the pledge he has given us of the proving and “trial of our faith:” God “spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.” As Christ is a “tried stone,” so would he have a “tried people;” for it will be only a “tried people” that will be triumphant at last. Rev. 3:10-12. In the proving or the “trial of our faith,” we have two mighty helpers—“God the Father” and “God the Son.” Rom. 8:33, 34. And in all our trials, we shall be “more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Rom. 8:35-39.
Gardnerville, Nev.