p. 777 | ONE USE OF TRIALS by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 21, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 49.

ONE USE OF TRIALS.

By M. C. W.

ONE of the purposes for which our kind heavenly Father permits trials to come upon us, is to reveal to us the imperfections of our character; not to discourage us, but that we may put them away and overcome them. We do not know what lusts are harbored in our sinful flesh till temptation assails us. We are in many things strong only because we have not been tested. Gladly would the Lord reveal to us the defect some other way, but we will not learn our weakness by faith in his word. So God allows it to be demonstrated to us by permitting us to fall. The example of Peter furnishes an instance of this. Peter loved the good opinion of his fellows. He was proud; he wished men to think well of him. Jesus read the defect in his character, and solemnly warned him. Luke 22:31-34. Peter could not believe the warning; he could not read his own heart. Therefore he fell, and his fall brought bitter weeping and humiliation. He doubtless thought he had conquered the inbred pride after that, and so it would seem. Thrice he professes love for the Lord with a full heart (John 21); he is the first speaker on the day of Pentecost; the first notable miracle is wrought through him and John (Acts 2 and 3); he is "filled with the Holy Ghost." Acts 4:8. Surely it would seem that he, if any, had cause to think that he would never fall. But the element of weakness remains in his character still. His pride of heart, or fear of man, leads him to "dissemble," and he is reproved by Paul. Gal. 2:11-16. We read of no lapses after that on the part of this great apostle.

Jesus desired Peter to learn his defect without falling. Peter might so have done if he had but taken to his heart the reproof of the Redeemer. But he did not fully do this, and there was no other way in which the Saviour could teach him his weakness but to let him stand alone against the powers of darkness. He did so, and Peter fell. He realized something of his weakness, something of its sinfulness, but not all. So God permitted him again to fall, and the lesson was learned. The Lord did not desire to deal in this way, but there was no other. It was mercy and not wrath which moved God thus to deal with the bold disciple.

It is even thus that the Lord deals with many. Let us learn the lesson without falling. Search the heart, study the motives, till can be seen the motive power of our deeds of sin; till can be seen the hidden springs of iniquity. Seeing this, "humble yourselves in the sight of God." Suppose that it read, "Humble yourselves as in the sight of God," just as men will when before their very eyes stands revealed the glorified Majesty of Heaven, from whose sight not one thought can be hidden? But the text does not say, "As in his sight;" it says, "In the sight of the Lord." God sees all the heart now as clearly as he will see it then, and he desires us to realize this. Such views of ourselves are not flattering, but they are efficacious. They lead us to realize our weakness and nothingness; and realizing this, if we desire holiness we will seek Him in whom "all fullness dwells," and seeking, we shall find. Let us not be too fearful of getting an adverse and humiliating view of self. The more hatred we have of selfishness the more eager will we be for that love which comes only through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the more fully will we rejoice in the "exceeding great and precious promises" of the gospel. Into these trials or temptations, O Lord, "lead us not;" help us to learn without them. M. C. W.