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 honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:17.
Those
who work against the natural laws of the being must suffer the penalty of
transgression. But the Saviour pities us, even when we suffer from infirmities
caused by our own wrong course of action. In Him there is a healing power
for us. Let us praise God for the tree of life, the leaves of which are for
the healing of the nations. . . .
Everywhere the effects of the curse are seen. Let us praise God that in the
earth made new “there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God
and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Rev.
22:3). Some little know what true service means. Those who expect to sing
in an entertainment spend time in practicing, to familiarize themselves with
the music and the words. That we may learn how to serve the Lord in heaven,
we must enter His service now, becoming acquainted with Him and learning to
be faithful servants. . . .
It is our privilege to understand the blessed Word of God. We have fallen,
it is true, but we are not always to remain in sin. We have been placed on
vantage ground. The Lord God of heaven “so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). What a precious hope we have
in Christ! . . .
Temptations will come. But when Satan throws his hellish shadow before us,
we should reach in faith through the shadow to the light of life—to
Him who has not only created man but who by His own blood has redeemed him.
We are Christ’s cherished heritage. In living faith we must cooperate
with Him in working out our own salvation. Amid trials and temptations His
hand upholds and sustains us. Those who rest in Christ Jesus are never restless
or uneasy. He means just what He says when He bids us commit the keeping of
our souls unto Him, as to a faithful Creator.
Those who hold fast their faith unto the end will come forth from the furnace
of trial as fine gold seven times purified. Of this work the prophet Isaiah
says, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than
the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isa. 13:12). When in trouble, remember that
faith tried in the furnace of affliction is more precious than gold tried
with fire. Remember that there is One watching every movement, to see when
the last particle of dross is taken away from your character.
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