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THE USES OF TRIAL

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 16, No. 14.

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THE USES OF TRIAL.

By R. C. Farrar

“BELOVED, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. iv, 12, 13.
It is often thought a matter of surprise that the people of God should be subjected to trials and temptations; and unconverted persons often entertain the erroneous idea that when they once become Christians, all their trials and sorrows will cease. No doubt some of the Christians in the Apostle’s day had imbibed the same idea. But he tells them not to think it strange at all that they should be called to suffer for the sake of Christ. If it was necessary that the “Captain of our salvation should be made perfect through suffering,” it seems but meet and right that we should suffer with him, inasmuch as “the disciple is not greater than his Lord.” And in the hour of severest affliction, we have this assurance to buoy up the fainting soul, “that if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.”
God does not see fit to exempt his children from sorrow and temptation, but with the trial he gives strength to endure, and with every temptation provides a way of escape. Firm as the foundation of heaven itself is the promise, “As thy day so shall thy strength be.” The object of trial is to purify our hearts, and wean us from the transient pleasures of this life that we may “set our affections on things above.” It is compared to the action of fire upon gold which we know separates it from base alloy, and renders it pure. Trials produce the same effect upon the soul when endured submissively, and with a patient reliance upon our heavenly Father’s love and wisdom. And as we rise victorious after each conflict, how much clearer the spirit’s vision becomes; how firmly does the unshaken soul rest upon the Rock of ages.
But the Apostle tells us to “rejoice.” Ah! that seems to us a very strange exhortation; but he tells us why. We should “rejoice inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.” Let us remember how for us he toiled and wept; consider the privations he endured; think of the scorn and contumely that were heaped upon him; of the tide of persecution that ever followed in his footsteps; then remember how “he was led as a lamb to the slaughter,” and “bore our sins in his own body on the tree.” Then we may indeed rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for his name.
The Apostle gives another reason why we should rejoice which is, “that when his glory shall be revealed we may be glad also with exceeding joy.” It is impossible to conceive of the infinite fullness of joy, that shall fill the hearts of the Saviour’s followers on that day, when as it is declared, “we shall see him as he is.” Yet our gracious God in the plenitude of his love, deigns to grant us a faint foretaste of the bliss that shall then be ours.
It is in the hour of deepest affliction that God reveals himself most fully to the soul of the Christian. When the heart is humbled by sorrow, and feels how frail are all earthly hopes and ties, then does it most confidingly cling to the omnipotent arm; and as the joys of earth fade away, how bright do the glories of heaven appear! How trustingly does the contrite soul rely upon the immutable promise of God! How short and insignificant does the span of life appear, compared with the glories of that eternity, through whose ever-circling ages “we shall be ever with the Lord!” Well may the Christian’s heart rejoice in hope of the glory to be revealed. How light will all these afflictions seem when they have worked out for us that “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” We shall count them not worthy to be compared with the joys that God has reserved for his people.
May God grant “that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold which perisheth, though it be tried with fire, may be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom having not seen we love; in whom though now we see him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls.”
R. C. FARRAR.
Kingston, Green Lake Co., Wis.