p. 143 | TRIAL OF FAITH by H. F. Phelps

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 1, 1877

TRIAL OF FAITH.

By H. F. Phelps

Peter speaks thus: “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth.” Gold is the most precious of all earth’s metals, yet the trial of faith as much exceeds that of gold as Heaven is higher than earth. The golden sand must be submitted to be purified by fire. Every stone from the quarry, every stick from the forest, must be prepared by the tool of the workman before it is fit for a place in the building. Every ship must be tried to the utmost before it can be put to the task of carrying the precious treasures of earth. We are not gold, but rough stones from the quarry, crooked sticks from the forest; and if we are ever granted a place in the Master’s building, we must be tried, and tried according to our needs, and according to the position we are to fill.

We pray for more confidence and faith in God. We ask for humility of spirit. We desire that our hearts may be softened, and made susceptible to the gentle influences of the Spirit of God. Well, how do these things come but by trial? Our earthly props are removed, so that we may trust in God more and more. He reaches out the rod and afflicts us sorely, to humble our proud hearts and subdue our stubborn spirits before him. And when we meekly bow to the affliction, and can in love kiss the rod, it is then we can feel the blessing of God in the trial, and learn to love the hand that deals the blow. But of this we may be assured, God loves us, else we should not be tried. Indeed, Paul says, “But if ye be without chastisement, then are ye bastards and not sons;” and “If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with sons.” David says, “The Lord trieth the righteous.” But are the wicked never tried? Yes. “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone, and an horrible tempest. This shall be the portion of their cup.” May we be saved from their fate. Better bear patiently the trials God allows to come upon us here, than to rebel and suffer with the wicked.

As trials come according to our needs, and according to duties that may be before us, all will not be tried alike. Look for one moment at the noble Bible examples. Abel was tried, and resisted unto blood. Enoch, though subjected to trials for over three hundred years, was at last translated. Noah was tried for one hundred and twenty years, while building the ark, in the midst of an opposing, mocking people. Look at Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, at the prophets, and the apostles of Jesus, also at the myriads of martyrs who have resisted unto blood striving against sin. These did not sink down under discouragement and despair. No, no. They had respect to the recompense of reward. These pressed on. They counted not their lives dear unto them. They tired not in their long watchings, but pressed on, and they now rest in hope. Blessed rest! “Oh, how sweet! to be for such a slumber meet.”

And shall we who are blessed with the truths of the last message, we who have such noble examples before us, shall we do less than they? Shall we think our trials hard? Shall we sink down just in sight of the prize? No. If we stumble and fall, let us rise again, and in the strength of Him who tempers the winds to the shorn lamb, go forward, remembering and believing “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” H. F. PHELPS.