The Sifting Time by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 14, 1910

The Sifting Time

By F. M. W.

To Peter there came a time of sifting. This evidently was in the great trial of his faith which came in connection with the crucifixion of the Lord, and the bitter disappointment of the disciples’ hopes. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”

The Lord will permit this same sifting experience to enter the life of every one of his children. “For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.”

This sifting process will not necessarily be brought about by the same circumstances and conditions in the life of every individual. Each will be tested and tried by himself. The test may come through sorrow, loss of property, criticism, sickness, the mistakes seen in the lives of others, the wrong-doing of others,—manifold are the means Satan employs to bring pressure upon a child of God to draw him away from his allegiance to right. And we have reached a time in the history of this work when the test is coming to every soul in tenfold power. Who has not felt in his own experience during the last few months this sifting process going on? Who has not sensed the conflict being waged over his soul between the forces of good and evil?

Intensity has taken possession of the world. It is filling the minds of men. They are continually being brought face to face in their experience with questions by which they are determining their choice for eternity. Character is forming more rapidly than ever before in the world’s history, and it is only those who have committed the keeping of their souls unto God who will be able to stand the pressure of these times, and come out of the conflict unscathed by the darts of the enemy. We are not sufficient to meet the mighty host arrayed against us; we can not successfully compete in our own strength with the principalities and powers seeking our downfall; our only hope is in Him who has promised to be our deliverer and our rock of defense. He stands keeping watch over his own. His eyes are upon the great battle-field. He notes the struggles of every faithful follower of his, and he will not permit crushing defeat to come to his weakest child, who reaches out his hand for succor and deliverance. He assured Peter that his prayers would follow him in the conflict before him. Likewise may we have in our conflicts to-day the strength of his prayers for us; for he says: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” So let us be brave in the conflict. If we are tempted to surrender, if we sometimes feel that the pressure is greater than we can bear, if in our loneliness and heartache we feel that no one cares for our soul, let us remember that Jesus cares. He is the Burden-bearer. He is the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. He longs to share with us our labors, to bear with us our burdens, to comfort us in all our sorrows.

Poor, struggling soul, buffeted and storm-tossed, reach out your hand for divine aid. Do not repine at God’s providence. He is seeking by the sifting process in your life to separate the chaff from the wheat. He is seeking by the fires of his burning to purge out the dross and leave the gold. Only be patient, only trust him, only yield yourself as clay fully into the hands of the great Molder. Say with his servant, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” and God will bring to perfection the work which he has begun in your life, and you will come forth from the trial purified, and reflecting the image of his divine character. F. M. W.