Hopefulness in Trial

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1905

Hopefulness in Trial

In the midst of his great personal trials, and the desolation of Jerusalem, which he loved, Jeremiah exclaimed: “It is good that a man hope.” There is a bright side to all trial. It is God's tool to sharpen the saints. Untilled ground goes to weeds. The prosperous Christian soon forgets God and his manifold benefits.

Edmund Burke became the chastened, softened, eloquent orator that he was through the death of his only son. There is a legend of an artist who had found the secret of the wonderful red which no other artist could imitate. The secret of his color died with him. But after his death an old wound was discovered over his heart. This revealed the source of the matchless hue in his pictures. Affliction brings out the heart's blood, which gives color and life and attractiveness and power and successful achievement in all the work of life.

The sepulcher in the garden may yet become the place of the soul's resurrection, and thus transform the whole into something more than Edenic beauty and loveliness. Expect great things to be wrought out by trial, by him who maketh all things work together for good to his people. Don't demand of God untimely deliverance, lest he grant it, and with it send leanness to the soul. Be willing to endure the thorn in the flesh continually if your suffering may be an example to others, and if “the power of Christ” may be more fully upon you, and if thus you may hear as not otherwise the inspiring words, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” But be hopeful at all hazards. . . .

Also quietly wait for deliverance. “Wait on the Lord, . . . and he shall strengthen thy heart.” “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” A great painter in time of sore trouble went to his friend for comfort. Good advice was given, but it brought no help. He then went to another, who said, after hearing his story: “We sha'n't be disturbed, and I think I can put you in the way of the desired help you want.” Then he fell upon his knees, asking his friend to do the same. When they arose, the troubled man said: “You have put me in the way of getting, yes, and obtaining, the very comfort that I stood in need of. God, bless you!”

“John Brown, of Haddington, said: ‘No doubt I have met with trials like others, yet so kind has God been to me that I think if he would give me as many more years to live, I would not desire a single circumstance in my life changed, excepting that I wish there had been less of sin. On my coffin might be inscribed, ‘Here lies one of the cares of Providence, who early lost both father and mother, and yet never wanted for the care of either.’”

A commander of a victorious army gave to each one of his soldiers a medal giving the time and place of the great battle, having underneath it the inscription, “I was there.” So when we reach glory, and look back upon the battlefields of life, if we have carried ourselves nobly and fought successfully and mastered all the trials, we shall be glad to say of every one of them, “I was there.” Better still, we shall be able to say, “Jehovah Shammah, the Lord was there.” Then we shall see that these “light afflictions” of earth have worked out for us “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”—The Christian and Missionary Alliance.