Wonderful Counselor by John Hoffman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 12, 1910

Wonderful Counselor

By John Hoffman

JOHN HOFFMAN

“I COUNSEL thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Rev. 3:18. These words are spoken by the faithful and true Witness after he has told us how poor and wretched we are. But how shall poor people buy? and where shall the means be found? The Lord himself tells us: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy . . . wine and milk without money.” Isa. 55:1. When the poor may buy for nothing, they must be foolish to continue in their poverty. Let us therefore accept this invitation!

What is this gold which we are counseled to buy? “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire.” 1 Peter 1:7. The Lord always wants us to have the best, and here is something that is much more precious than perishable gold, though it be tried in fire. A tried faith is the gold the Lord counsels us to buy. That such a faith is precious we learn from Rev. 3:10, where the Lord says: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” A faith that keeps God's word through trials and difficulties, assures

its possessor of God's protecting care, of a home in God's everlasting kingdom, and of a place in the heavenly city, where the streets are paved with imperishable gold like transparent glass.

Where shall such a faith be found? — In the school of experience; in the adversities and trials the Lord allows to come in our way. In such furnaces the quality and purity of our faith are tried. They are the crucibles where the dross is burned away, and the gold is cleansed till the Master can see his own image therein. No wonder then that Paul cries out: “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:3-5. Peter, setting forth the same thought, says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” 1 Peter 4:12. When Job had passed through the fiery trials, he was a better man than before. The three worthies in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the den of lions were given opportunity to buy the gold which the Lord counsels us to buy. Do we have such a trust in God as those men had? And do we hold fast to God's promises in hours of trial? If we do, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ to the imperishable inheritance.

Life affords many opportunities for the purchase of the precious gold which we are counseled to buy. Remember that the God of Israel is still alive; that the God of Daniel and the three worthies has the same power to quench the fire and close the lions' mouths as in olden time. The waters of the Red Sea and the billows of overflowing Jordan are just as ready to obey his will to-day as they were three thousand years ago. Hold on to the anchor chain of the sure promises of God, and when the storm has passed over, you will find your little craft safely anchored in the peaceful harbor of eternal life.

Stockholm, Sweden.