Trials by H. M. Van Slyke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1875

Trials.

By H. M. Van Slyke

THE followers of Christ are often brought into strait places, where the way seems hedged up on all sides. To attempt to go forward seems perilous, to face about is to deny the faith. At such times shall we sit down and grieve at the hardness of the way, and complain because trials come which we had not looked for? Surely the soul is troubled. What shall we say? My ease, Lord? my pleasure? No, rather, Thy will be done; glorify thy name.

How sweet then are the words of Holy Writ, inspiring and elevating us above the troubles that seemed insurmountable, a holy calm awaits our trembling footsteps, and, as overcomers we may rejoice in the light of God’s love. But we may not expect to rest long this side of our great deliverance. If we continually say, Thy will be done, the Lord will continue to try us; and if we as persistently seek only the glory of the Lord and the honor of his cause, we may grow into the knowledge of him who hath called us, and perhaps be tuning our hearts to join the refrain in the song of Moses and the Lamb: “Just and true are thy ways, thou, King of saints.” H. M. VAN SLYKE.