Morning, February 18
Go To Evening Reading
“Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.”
Job 10:2
Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces.
There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith
never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love
is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it
be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered
in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in
which God doth set the jewels of his children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while
ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?—for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised?
Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered,
and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not
merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away
our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians.
He trains his soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning
them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes
them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains,
and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their
backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through
which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces,
and making them grow? Is not this the reason why he is contending
with you?
“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to his feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”