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Tried

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 29, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 35.

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Tried

By Mrs. M. C. Du Bois

MRS. M. C. DU BOIS
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.
These words should bring comfort to the aching heart of the tempted one. They were spoken by one who knew whereof he spoke, one who had passed through great trials. Home, children, great wealth, were swept away in a day; disease fastened upon him, earthly friends forsook him, and he was brought very low. Even his wife taunted him; yet his faith in God remained unshaken. He was sure God would not forsake him, and exclaimed in all confidence, “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” He would be purified from dross, as gold is purified in the fire. The knowledge of the fact that God understands our case perfectly should bring joy and courage. The way we are now walking may be rough and thorny; trials sharp and cutting may sweep over us; but can we not rejoice as we think that God takes notice of the path in which we are called to walk?
Still more; he not only knows the path we take, but he counts our steps. Think of this, weary one. This is not a fable: no, no! Weary mother, perhaps you have taken many steps to-day as you went about your daily work. You could not count them; but there is One who can, for “doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?” Job 31:4. Let us believe this, take courage, and cheer up.
Trials are for our good; they test us to prove what manner of persons we are. Every machine, every vessel that sails, has to be tried, tested. So every individual Christian has to be tried.
God’s people are a tried people. Not all will be tested, perhaps, in just the way Job was, but we shall be tested in such points as God sees we need. Have we the confidence in God that Job had? Can we say from the heart, “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”?
We are being tried day by day. Tests are coming which will prove whether we are true to God and his truth or not. Only those who are tried, will endure to the end. Think of that glorious ending when sorrow and suffering will be no more, no more sin, no more night. Is not the prize worth striving for?
Grand Ledge, Mich.