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Rejoicing in God

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 9.

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Rejoicing in God

By F. M. W.

The path of the Christian is not all smooth and pleasant. Sometimes it winds through rugged mountain fastnesses, or across desert wastes. Sorrow is mingled with joy, and pain with pleasure. But whatever the experience, it is the privilege of the child of God to rejoice and be glad. Says the apostle, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: . . . and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
From the human standpoint it is impossible to rejoice in trial and disappointment. Some of life's experiences appear as did the bereavements of Jacob, directly against us. For this reason scores who know not God are unable to endure the destruction of cherished hopes, and sink in discouragement and despair.
The child of God may take a happier view of life's vicissitudes. It is for him to view things from another standpoint than that of temporal surroundings. By faith he can look beyond the present, and see God working out all things for good in the ultimate. On this point the apostle bears the following testimony: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
If the shaping of human destiny rested wholly with man, well might he despair, particularly in view of the studied efforts of Satan to accomplish his ruin. But God is over all, and his great power can cause even the wrath of the enemy to praise him, and to work the good of his chosen ones. By faith we may know that “all things work together for good to them that love God.”
We may praise him in the darkness, knowing that he standeth near in the shadow, and that in his own time, light will break forth. Paul and Silas sang praises to God while in prison, with their feet fast in the stocks. Surely an unpleasant position, and an unfavorable outlook. But they knew God would work good out of their trial. And in this they were not disappointed. Doubtless the conversion of the jailer was due in large measure to the spirit manifested by these disciples.
When God calls us to stand trial, let us be brave and hopeful. We must learn to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Were God to remove the trial, we would be weakened in consequence. He will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear, but will with the temptation make a way of escape, by strengthening us that we may be able to bear it. I Cor. 10:13. He has wisdom and power for every need, and by staying our hearts on him, and by living faith grasping his promises, we may draw from him supplies of grace for every trial of our strength.
F. M. W.