|
XII.
Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 122
:
Trials and their Object
1. WHAT does the
apostle Peter say concerning the trials through
which every believer must pass?
"Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you:
but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of
Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy." 1 Peter 4:12,13.
2. How important is the
trial of our faith?
"That the trial of your faith,
being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire,
might be found unto praise and honor and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7.
NOTES.-"When David was fleeing through the
wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was
being prepared to become the sweet singer of
Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the
best schools at which Joseph ever graduated.
The hurricane that upset the tent and killed
Job's children prepared the man of Uz to
write the magnificent poem that has
astonished the ages. There is no way to get
the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it
out. There is no way to purify the gold but
to burn it."- Talmage's "One Thousand
Gems," page 83.
Nothing "happens" to the Christian.
Everything that enters his life is sent or
permitted to come by an all-wise and
all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed
for the perfection of character, and the
fitting up and the enlargement of capacity
for service. The rocks and rough places on
the mountainside are the things we climb on.
Even failures, If taken rightly, may become
stepping-stones to higher ground.
3. What reason did Paul
give for glorying in tribulations?
"We glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation
worketh patience; and patience, experience; and
experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto
us." Rom. 5:3-5.
4. What, according to
the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people
of God down through the ages?
"And they that understand among the
people shall instruct many: yet they shall
fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity,
and by spoil, many days." Dan. 11:33.
5. Why was this to be?
"And some of them of understanding
shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to
make them white, even to the time of the
end." Verse 35.
6. Looking forward to
the conflicts through which His followers must
pass, what cheering message did Christ send them
through the revelator?
"Fear none of those things which
thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall
cast some of you into prison, that ye may be
tried; . . . be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee a crown of life. . . .
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the
second death." Rev. 2:10,11.
7. What description
does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some
of God's people in former ages?
"Others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection: and others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
they were stoned, they were sawn
asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not
worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."
Heb. 11:35-38.
8. How many does Paul
say will suffer persecution?
"Yea, and all that will live godly
in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2
Tim. 3:12.
9. Does God willingly
afflict the children of men?
"For the Lord will not cast off
forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He
have compassion according to the multitude of
His mercies. For He doth not afflict
willingly nor grieve the children of men."
Lam. 3:31-33.
10. Why, then, does God
permit the chastening rod to fall?
"For they [parents] verily for a few
days chastened us after their own pleasure; but
He for our profit, that we might be partakers
of His holiness." Heb. 12:10.
11. Referring to
Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ
say He had prayed?
"Satan hath desired to have you, that
he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for
thee, that thy faith fail not." Luke
22:31,32.
12. What cheering
promise is made to those who endure the trials
and temptations of this life?
"Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord
hath promised to them that love Him." James
1:12.
NOTE.-Says a Christian writer: "Our sorrows
do not spring out of the ground. God 'doth
not afflict willingly nor grieve the
children of men.' When He permits trials and
afflictions, it is for our profit, that we
might be partakers of His holiness.' If
received in faith, the trial that seems so
bitter and hard to bear will prove a
blessing. The cruel blow that blights the
joys of earth will be the means of turning
our eyes to heaven. How many there are who
would never have known Jesus had not sorrow
led them to see comfort in Him! The trials
of life are God's workmen, to remove the
impurities and roughness from our character.
Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and
their burnishing and polishing, is a painful
process. It is hard to be pressed down to
the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought
forth prepared to fill its place in the
heavenly temple."
THERE'S never a night but is followed by day,
And the darkest to dawn must give place:
There's never a sorrow that crosses our way
But is sent with a message of grace.
It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,
It comes in our pleasures and pain;
It comes from the Father of mercies, to bring
To His fold His own stray ones again.
O sou1! is thy burden too heavy to bear?
Does the load seem too weighty for one?
There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to
share,
'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.
Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,
And thy troubles will quickly depart;
Make every sweet promise in His precious Word
An entrance to His loving heart.
REV. JOHN
WILLIAMS. |
