p. 106 | IS IT GOOD TO BE HERE? by E. H. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 3, 1879

IS IT GOOD TO BE HERE?

By E. H. Whitney

We often hear the expression in social meetings where there is a degree of the Spirit of the Lord manifest, “I feel that it is good to be here.”

Two brethren in the church were once riding together over a drifted track, when the sleigh overturned, and they were both thrown into the snow. Gathering himself up and shaking off the snow, one of them turned to the other, saying, “Well, Bro. A., is it good to be here?”

The answer is not recorded, but the question seemed a very pertinent one. When we are in the company of Christians, away from the cares and perplexities of daily life, and enjoying the presence of the Lord in a special manner, it is easy to say, “It is good to be here;” but how is it under less favorable circumstances, when trials press, and discouragements arise, and perplexities thicken around us?

And when afflictions come upon us, and all else seems to fail, can faith look triumphantly through the darkness, and say with the psalmist, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted”? It has been said that many hearts will bear heavy trials and sorrows with resignation that will chafe and fret under the wear and tear of every-day perplexities and annoyances. This may often be true; for it is not always easy to realize that God permits many little things to annoy us, in order to try us, and to show us the weak places in our character, and to give us opportunity to overcome them. We too often act as though we thought God took no note of such trifles.

It is just such common, every-day experiences that I have particularly in mind.

It is one of the hardest lessons to learn, but one of the sweetest and most helpful when learned, that the little perplexing, irritating things that we often meet, are a part of the discipline which a wise and loving Father sees that we need, provided, of course, that they are not trials of our own making; and one who has learned to flee to God daily and hourly for strength to meet daily and hourly duties and trials, will not be at a loss to know where to hide when deeper trouble comes.

There is something beautiful and very precious in the psalmist’s idea of dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High,” not simply resorting to it occasionally under severe affliction; but dwelling there, finding a constant shelter, keeping close to Him, and having a living connection with Him, even as a branch with the vine. And the promise is, that such “shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

Then note the “exceeding great and precious promises” that follow,—promises that will be more precious to God’s people in the future, as we shall pass through the fearful time just before us, and into which we are soon now entering.

Yes; it is good for us to be just where God wants us to be. It is good to see his hand in his dealings with us, by faith when we cannot by sight. It is good to look, in all circumstances in which we may be placed, to see what lessons of faith, or patience, or self-control we may learn, or what other of the Christian graces we may add to our character. We are too apt to think that if we were differently situated, we could develop more rapidly, or do more for God; forgetting that he knew, when he placed us, just what we needed, and just what we would meet; and that by seeking to work in harmony with him we are growing spiritually, while chafing and fretting at our surroundings surely retards our growth, and hinders the work of God in our hearts. God has work for us all to do, and it is worse than folly to hinder the process by which he would fit us for his service.

“For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” and by his help we may use even things that the enemy may place in our way as stumbling-blocks to overthrow us, as stepping-stones in our upward journey.

Let us seek such a submission to God’s will, and such a willingness to have it wrought in us, as will enable us to feel, even while pressed by cares and perplexities, that it is good for us to pass through just such experiences. We have the sweet assurance that our Saviour knows just what they are, and that there are no temptations so small that his sympathizing heart cannot feel for us, and his ready ear be open to our call for aid. And though, if we gain victories, the struggles through which they are obtained may be known only to our own hearts and the heavenly watchers, they strengthen us for further conflicts, and they are registered in Heaven.

It is a precious thought that Infinite Love—yes, Infinite Love—can we ever realize or appreciate it?—stoops to pity and help us who are even less than the small dust of the balance. If we could realize this, I believe it would awaken a gratitude in our hearts that would not only help us to bear trials patiently, but would enable us to welcome them as at least needed discipline, bringing blessings with them.

May God help us so to profit by the experiences he is giving us that at the last we may be found perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

E. H. WHITNEY.