IN THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION.
By Marie Beermann
We are now under divine forbearance, but how long will it continue? Our heart is at ease; believing that we have the truth, we feel secure; but it is the ease of unconsciousness to our real condition; it is the security which makes it possible for us to be lost, not sensing the danger that really exists. The person who at this time feels most secure is in greatest danger. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12. We are in danger of exalting our own righteousness, and losing sight of the righteousness of Christ. But “neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts. 4:12. If we are pleased with ourselves, and convinced of our own value, we lose our discernment, and do not know where or how we will end. Think of the example of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees. Had they known that Christ was the promised Messiah, they would not have crucified him; but the exalting of themselves made them blind. When we feel safe God permits Satan to tempt us, as he permitted Job to be tempted by him. “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4. When temptations come to us, whether from within or from without, it is most important that we recognize them as such; that we understand our own weakness, and the fact that Satan will attack us at our most vulnerable point. If we give ourselves too much uneasiness about worldly cares, Satan will multiply such cares, and give us ample opportunity to find new ones. But let us trust in the Lord, “for he careth for us.” “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33. When we live out this word, Satan’s designs will be thwarted, and we will learn to cease caring for worldly things. In this way we keep our spirit fresher and more resistive, and can better discern the evil and overcome it; and the Lord will not fail to give us the assistance which we require, if we call upon him for it. “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Ps. 18:3. If Satan’s attempt to bring misunderstanding and sow discord in the family circle is thwarted and brought to naught, such temptation will serve the purpose of causing the members of the family to press more closely together, and blessings will come out of sorrows. But one failure will not discourage the arch enemy. His temptations will follow one after another, each unlike its predecessor, and each a stronger attempt at robbing Christ of our soul. Therefore we must constantly be on our guard, ever keeping in view the fact that apart from Christ we are perfect weakness, and that in God our strength consists. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph. 6:11. Finally the temptations will come to an end, and “everlasting joy will be upon our heads.” If we have overcome, in God’s eyes, he will not permit us to be still further tempted, but he will pour out again his blessings over us as he did to Job. Even the hour of temptation may be turned into a blessing for us. It acquaints us with our weak points, and teaches us the source of our strength. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Rom. 8:37. Thus our inner man grows and is strengthened to a perfect character in Christ Jesus. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb. 12:11. God gives to every one his hour, his opportunity, his probation. The temptations of different individuals are not similar. Some will suffer persecution, and others will be tempted in different ways,—each according to his peculiarity. These last years before the outpouring of the seven last plagues will be energetically employed by Satan, for he well knows that he has but a little time in which to work. He will use every weapon at his command—and they are many and strong—to turn believers away from God. Therefore, God exhorts us with the grave words: “Now the just shall live by faith; but if any may draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Heb. 10:38. “But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned; in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.” Eze. 18:24. “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Heb. 4:1. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt. 24:13.