Trials and Temptations.
By John Matteson
Do not marvel, dear reader, if you find many hard trials and temptations in your pathway. These all work for our good when borne with patience and resignation. And, by the grace of God, we can be victorious, having our loins girt about with truth, covering ourselves with the shield of faith, wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6. Such a warfare is very useful to us. It exercises and strengthens our faith. The precious gold is tried and purified by fire. So likewise is our faith proved and strengthened by temptations. Sometimes we are overcome on account of our ignorance or weakness. This is pitiful and shameful; yet it should not cause us to give up or cease the struggle. “If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2. Jesus will kindly receive us when we come unto him, even though we have been wanderers or backsliders. The lukewarm he will spew out of his mouth in the great and final day; but still sweet mercy lingers. His counsel to such is to be zealous, and repent. Rev. 3. Let us then come to Jesus, even if we have to come all covered with shame. Let the heart be broken. Let anguish pain the soul. Such shame and pain are very small compared to the shame and torment which will be ours in the great day if we are found wanting. What incalculable loss and infinite misfortune then to get a place assigned unto us outside of the city in the lake of fire; but how sweet the words will sound: “Come, ye blessed of my Father.” Dear reader, the desire of my soul is, that we may together be saved. Think how small our sacrifices, self-denial, and tribulations, are, compared with the exceeding glory, which will soon be revealed. Let us then not pray to God for easy times; for that is not the way of salvation; nor let us ask to be free from trials and tribulations, for only through these can we be purified and prepared for the kingdom; neither let us murmur under distressing circumstances, on the dark and dreary days. Let us rather say: Lord, thou knowest best what is for my real good. May the Lord give us patience and longsuffering, and willing and submissive hearts; then we can say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” 1 Sam. 3:9. “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21. Then will we learn to understand that the greatest happiness and sweetest peace on earth are not to be found in temporal enjoyments or luxuries, nor in gratifying our fleshly desires and having our own way; but they are to be found in communion with God, and in sweet submission to his holy will. “Not as I will, but as thou wilt,” were the humble, submissive words of our blessed Saviour, in that hour of deep anguish when his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Matt. 26. Such submission gives sweet and true peace in the soul, and strength in the hour of temptation. Many earthly things and enjoyments make fair promises, but they have all a bitter sting, which is full of poison. Often deceived by the allurements of the world and the flesh, we do not perceive the terrible danger, before it is very difficult to return to the Lord. The yoke of Jesus alone is easy and his burden is the only burden that is truly light. Sweet yoke of Christ! may we all learn to wear it willingly and joyfully. Then the heavenly joys and pure enjoyments of the world to come will be sweeter to our taste. Then we will long to be with Christ. May this heavenly desire increase until we shall become tired of this old, sin-cursed earth, and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory at the revelation of our blessed Saviour.