"Through Much Tribulation."
GOD does not promise to His people immunity from trouble or calamity in this world. On the other hand we are assured that it is "through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22, A. R. V. And Jesus declares to His disciples: "In the world ye shall have tribulation." John 16:33. On the other hand, the psalmist observed of the wicked, "They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men." "Their eyes stand out with fatness; they have more than heart could wish." Ps. 73:5, 7. It troubled the psalmist, as it troubles others to-day. "Surely in vain have I cleansed mine heart, and washed my hands in innocency; for all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning." When the psalmist went into the sanctuary then he beheld their "latter end." Read Ps. 73. He saw that there was a life beyond this; and an eternal death for those who have lived a useless life. Character is the result of trial; therefore God tries His people. Abraham was tried. Moses was forced to leave his all. David was tried again and again. For years after God anointed him for the throne, he was a fugitive for his life. The people were tried, and some of them went to violent death in their trial. Paul was tried,—stoned, whipped, beaten with rods, and at last died a martyr's death. And what shall we say of our blessed, righteous Lord and the whole great army of witnesses, "of whom the world was not worthy," who "had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated, . . . wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth." Heb. 11:36-38. Sad, terrible, awful, horrible, unjust, cruel, and dark many of these things were, but none of them were vain. They developed character. They separated the wheat from the chaff. They pressed out the pure wine of refreshing love and service for God. They burned away the dross from the gold of character. They were thus fitted for the "better thing," the everlasting inheritance, the immortal existence on before. Therefore, "beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which is upon you to prove you, as tho a strange thing happened unto you; but inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of His glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12, 13. And therefore, again, we "rejoice in our tribulations; knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope; and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us." Rom. 5:3-5, A. R. V. Beyond all the trial is enlargement and blessing and greater service for God and humanity.