HE PURGETH IT by Trench

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 2, 1879

“HE PURGETH IT.”

By Trench

We sometimes wonder, with regard to God’s dealings with the elect, that he should cast them again into the crucible of trial. It seems to us as though they were already refined gold. But he sees in them that which we do not see,—a farther fineness which is possible; and he will not give over till that be attained. It is just as in a portrait by some cunning artist, which is now drawing near its completion. Men look at it and count it perfect, and are well-nigh impatient that the artist does not withhold his hand and declare it finished, while he, knowing better, touches and retouches, returning again and again to his work. And why? Because there floats before him an ideal of possible excellence at which he has not yet arrived, and he will not rest or be contented till he has embodied it in his work.

It is thus with God and some of his elect servants. Men, seeing their graces, which so far exceed those of common men, wonder sometimes why they should suffer still, why they seem to be ever falling from one sorrow to another. But he sees that which no other eye can see,—the grace which is capable of being more gracious still; and in his very faithfulness he will not deprive them nor suffer them to come short of this. They are fruit-bearing branches, and because they are so, he purges them that they may bring forth more fruit.

My brethren, how blessed must God’s service be when he can give nothing better to his servants in reward of their obedience than the ability to serve him more and better.—Trench.