Sept. 14
MARK OF DIVINE APPROVAL
"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
Yes, he is blessed while he is enduring the trial. No eye can see
this till it has been anointed with heavenly eye-salve. But he must
endure it, and neither rebel against God, nor turn aside from his
integrity. He is blessed who has gone through the fire, and has not
been consumed as a counterfeit.
When the test is over, then comes the hallmark of divine approval
-- "the crown of life." As if the Lord said, "Let him live; he has
been weighed in the balances, and he is not found wanting." Life is
the reward: not mere being; but holy, happy, true existence, the
realization of the divine purpose concerning us. Already a higher form
of spiritual life and enjoyment crowns those who have safely passed
through fiercest trials of faith and love.
The Lord hath promised the crown of life to those who love Him.
Only lovers of the Lord will hold out in the hour of trial; the rest
will either sink or sulk, or slink back to the world. Come, my heart,
dost thou love thy Lord? Truly? Deeply? Wholly? Then that love will be
tried; but many waters will not quench it, neither will the floods
drown it. Lord, let thy love nourish mine to the end.