The Design of Trials, and How we May Know that we Are Improving under Them.
By D. T. Bourdeau
It is when afflictions and trials come upon us that we can best determine our spiritual standing. We are apt to form too favorable an opinion of our condition when in prosperity. But let something come up that touches self, crosses the will, and threatens to deprive us of cherished idols, and it is then that we can tell the defects of our characters, and what points in them we need to build up, that we may be enabled to stand the test of the Judgment. The great question to be settled in trial is, How can I best improve upon the circumstances of my condition? It is not in building up self that this can be done; but in dying to self. It is not in finding fault with the instrumentalities through which our lacks are brought to light that this work can be accomplished; but in censuring ourselves because of our sins, in cultivating true humility with reference to them, and gratitude because they are brought to light, even though it may be in a way that is not best calculated to benefit us. Shimei did not approach David in a very becoming manner, yet David, looking at his own sin, turned the crushing, revengeful, and Satanic course of Shimei, to a good account. He viewed the matter in the right light. He had sinned, and it was for him to feel the depth of his own wrong, and to greatly humble himself, that he might find mercy, whatever course others might pursue. Were we to have our way, we would never have trials. We would dodge them every time. It is not pleasant to have our faults exposed. It is more flattering to have our virtues told us. It is the object of Satan to have us look away from our sins, that we may not fully see them and overcome them, and that we may be lost at last. And we aid in carrying out Satan’s object, when we are constantly aiming to build up self by palliating our wrongs, and dwelling upon the faults of others. This is very unprofitable business, though it may be flattering for the time being. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” When we get blinded by self, we are in a poor condition to judge of the nature of reproofs that are directed to us. We may expect that in our blindness we shall be inclined to oppose whatever opposes self. And oh! the deceitfulness of the carnal heart! Who can fully describe it? What a terrible thing is self-deception, and yet it is a leading characteristic of the Laodicean church. We should measure ourselves, not by what others are who do not profess present truth, or by what weak brethren are, but by what we should be did we live up to our high profession. In self-deception we decide too favorably of our spiritual condition, and call darkness light and light darkness. Satan comes in and sugar-coats the evil that he wishes us to perform, and makes it appear like a virtue. But, says James, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15. What an awful condition to be in! To think that we are led by God to pursue a certain course, while we are led by sin and Satan. This is the danger of all in trials. And we may determine whether we are on the side of God or on the side of Satan by the answers that we are enabled to give to such questions as the following: Do I feel sensitive when reproved? or do I feel to adopt the language of the psalmist, “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Ps. 141:5. Does my course tend to genuine humility? or to pride? to light in God? or to darkness in sin? to freedom and communion with God? or to selfish exultations? to a stronger love for the brethren? or to increased hatred toward them? to increasing confidence in the truth and cause of God? or to skepticism and unbelief? Do I love secret devotions more? or do I love them less? Is my taste for reading the Bible increasing? or decreasing? Have I as deep an interest in the prosperity of the cause in its different branches as I formerly had? or am I inclined to be especially interested in those things connected with the cause that tend to build me up? Do I have an increasing anxiety to keep pace with the different reforms among us? or is my anxiety lagging in this direction? Do I experience more love for heavenly things? and less for earthly things? Am I as much inclined as I formerly was to sacrifice of my means to advance the cause of truth? Is my conscience as tender as it once was? Do I count it all joy when I fall into divers temptations? Do I have a stronger love for perishing souls around me as the end is drawing nearer? Do I realize the love of Christ in my soul? and do I long to see him as he is? Dear brethren and sisters, let us not deceive ourselves, but let us be thorough in the work of self-examination. May we realize how hateful sin is, how noble it is to confess and forsake our sins, that we may meet Christ in peace at his coming, and be prepared to dwell with the holy ones in his kingdom. D. T. BOURDEAU.