Joy in the Midst of Temptations
By Sibyl Whitney
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be entire, wanting nothing.” But O, how often when we are in heaviness do we cry out in the bitterness (almost) of despair, “Lord, what shall I do?” and according to his promise, he giveth liberally and upbraideth not. Tried one! do you want to know how to be joyful in the midst of temptations? Enter into his closet, and say, “Our Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” Repeat it again and again, and if you do not begin to give glory to God before you can offer the remainder of the petition, your experience will be different from mine. In proportion to the heaviness, will be the joy, when we heartily submit to God as our Father. Glory to God! who is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those that ask, than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. About two months since I made up my mind that though I should go with the multitude in the way of transgression, when the question shall be asked, “Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment?” and I am speechless, not one of all the multitude will be able to answer for me; but if I am alone in the way of God’s commands, I shall be able to stand, and give an account of my stewardship, and shall not be ashamed. Then said I, “Thou art my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep thy words. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet into thy testimonies.” Henceforth “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” In pursuance of this resolution need I say that I meet with difficulties? that at times it seems that I shall be overcome? and were it not that “the name of the Lord is a strong tower into which the righteous runneth and is safe,” surely “the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul.” But he who said, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh,” is “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” a husband, a son, a father or a mother; and when all these forsake us, then the Lord will take us up. His arm is everlasting strength. His truth and his mercy endureth forever. I experience, from day to day, that to hearken unto the Lord is to dwell safely, and to be quiet from the fear of evil. Lord grant us all a listening ear, and feet to run in the way of thy commandments, and hands to do thy will, and hearts to trust in thee, and all is well. — SIBYL WHITNEY.