Trials by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 17, 1875

Trials.

By M. Wood

“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”

We frequently hear of the professed followers of Jesus bemoaning their condition in life, murmuring and complaining, because of their discouragements, the persecutions they have to endure, the trials they have to encounter, the burdens they have to bear, the sacrifices they are called to make, and the tribulations through which they pass. And then they ask, Why does God afflict his people? We reply, Because he loves them. “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten.” Rev. 3:19. And the redeemed host which John saw standing upon Mount Zion, clothed in white robes and having palms in their hands, came out of great tribulation. Rev. 7:14. God has ordained that his people shall be a purified people, that they shall not enter the portals of eternal bliss on flowery beds of ease, but through the furnace of affliction. It is by this process that we are tried, and purified and made more precious in the sight of our Heavenly Father than the gold of Ophir. “All who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” 2 Tim. 3:12. And instead of murmuring and complaining when trials and persecutions come, we should rejoice; for our divine Lord has said, “Blessed are ye

when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven.”

A home in Heaven is cheap at any price. Then why murmur because it can be obtained only by conflict, and self-abasement, and toil, and sacrifice? Courage, dear reader, and in a little time from this the words of the Lord by the psalmist will have a literal fulfillment: “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50:5. Are we tried and tempted by the subtlety of Satan? So was Christ; for we read, Heb. 4:15, “We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Why should we expect to escape the dragon’s ire, when the Son of God was not exempt from his sore temptations? Think of Jesus, with his unspotted holiness, his unbounded benevolence, his perfect conformity to the law of God, his heavenly wisdom, his boldness in reproving sin, and his entire resignation to his Father’s will. Yet with all his divine attributes, how hated, how despised and persecuted was the Saviour of mankind! He was the true pattern and perfect example. And if we would follow our divine Lord, we must be singular; if we would be holy, we must be consistent; if we would be useful, we must be diligent.

If we are faithful, we must expect reproach. If we love God and keep his commandments, and boldly confess Christ before men, and steadily maintain that marked distinction which forms a line of separation between the church and the world, we must expect to have our names cast out as evil. And true Christians ought never to shrink from the allegiance which they owe to God. Like Caleb, they should follow the Lord fully. Though all forsake, like Joshua, they should declare with humility and integrity of heart, in the face of a sneering world, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Peter, in speaking upon this point, uses the following words: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you.” 1 Peter 4:12. And lest the trials that are requisite for the purification of God’s people should appall and discourage them, they are cited to those who have lived before as examples of affliction and patience. Of Jacob, the Lord has said, “I have chosen him in the furnace of affliction;” of Christ, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” Job, although a perfect and upright man, one who feared God and eschewed evil, was assailed on the right hand and on the left, afflicted and persecuted, deprived of his possessions, called to mourn the loss of his children, and to lament over the skepticism of his companions. But amid all his trials and sufferings, he did not lose confidence in God, but exclaimed, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:25, 26.

If we read the word of God with due attention, we shall find that the most eminent saints have been the most tried. The faith of Abraham, the patience of Job, the meekness of Moses, the purity of Joseph, the devotion of Daniel, would not have been so conspicuous had not these peculiar graces been brought into exercise by trials remarkably adapted to each. Our Heavenly Father in perfect accordance with his covenant of life and peace, sends the needful trial that we may form a closer relationship with God; for it is in affliction that we learn to estimate above all treasures an assured interest in Jesus Christ. The blessedness of the believer is then felt and acknowledged. His peace of mind and hope of glory, the fruits of saving faith, are esteemed more precious than rubies. In God’s word the tried and afflicted saint finds a balm for every wound. The promises of God’s holy word are sweeter than honey and the honey-comb; they revive and strengthen the fainting soul. Thus, while the prosperous worldling in the midst of his abundance despises the hidden manna, the contrite believer in his heaviest trials can extract sweetness from the wormwood and the gall. A Saviour’s love experienced in the soul renders all pleasant, however distasteful to our nature.

Christ says, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 18:3. Sanctified affliction can bend the stubborn will, soften the hardest heart, and bring us to the frame and temper of little children. Hence, we find in the Scriptures words to this effect: “Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? He chasteneth us for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. “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.” May God give us grace to use both affliction and prosperity aright.

M. Wood.

Boston, Mass.