Submission In Trial # 2

Submission In Trial # 2

But does the gardener hate his corn, or wish to destroy it - because he violently inflicts upon it blow after blow, or cast it into the machine where the beaters act upon it with like effect? Nothing of the kind. It is very precious in his eyes. It is that for which he has toiled many an hour. Then why does he thus act? It is to separate the precious from the vile; it is to cleanse the grain from all that encumbers it.

And is it not thus in God's dealings with His precious wheat? He will not by chastening, inflict injury, but benefit. He dose not hate His people because He chastises them - for they are very dear to Him. He declares that those whom He loves, He rebukes and chastens. And all the fruit of His work upon them is...
to take away their sin,
to purify them from all that is evil, and
to make them fit for the heavenly gardener. 

And it is well for us to bear in mind that in no way is God more glorified and the souls of other benefited - than by the patient endurance of His people in trial.

Perhaps you may be ready to repine at a period of apparent uselessness being allotted to you. Were you able actively to labor in the vineyard, you may imagine that you might do far more good than it is possible for you to do now. You may say to yourself, "The cup of suffering which Christ drank brought great blessings to the world - but what good to any one can come about through my affliction?" Now it is certain that we can judge very little indeed about a matter like this. God's ways are not our ways. By the most likely means, a very small amount of good may be effected - while by means we have never thought of, He may bring great glory to Himself and good to man.

An aged clergyman was accustomed for many years to visit a long confirmed invalid, who patiently bore up under great suffering. "I wonder why God keeps me here," she would say. "I can do no good to anyone."

"Yes, God has a work for you to do."

"Impossible! I never see any one."

"Yes, God uses the weakest instrument, and you may be able to teach me."

"Well, then," she replied, "I am willing to suffering as long as God pleases." And so it happened as her pastor had said. During the long illness which preceded his death, he remarked that he knew not how he could have borne the pain, had it not been for the remembrance of the meekness and submission which that Christian woman had displayed.

A similar example might be found in the account that has been given of the farewell counsels of an eminent French pastor. During his last illness he assembled a few Christian people in his chamber from Sunday to Sunday, and, in the midst of extreme weakness and suffering, gave them the fruits of his own ripened experience. Perhaps never during his whole ministry did his words make so deep an impression, and "The Farewells of Adolphe Monod" have likewise brought a message of consolation to many a one in our own land.

Besides, however, the way in which God often employs the weakness and suffering of His servants to effect a work for His name - it is to be remembered also that He often uses it as a preparation, that when the season of affliction has passed, His servant may be able the better to teach and comfort others.

Lessons practically learned for the first time in the day of sorrow may be intended for the benefit not only of the sufferer himself, but also for very many besides in future years. It is not too much to say that the ministry which has often been most richly blessed, has received its tone and character from trials which seemed at the time almost unbearable.

Hence, reader, in every trying hour strive in the strength of Jesus, in the might of His Spirit; meekly to bow beneath your Father's hand, yes, even to kiss the hand that presents the bitter cup.

Even if bending over the grave that contains the earthly tabernacle of the one dearest to you in the world, even though mourning the loss of all that makes life pleasant or desirable to you, even tough passing through weeks or months of agonizing pain, even though all your plans have failed, all your prospects blighted, all you once possessed lost beyond recovery - yet even then,

think of Calvary;
think of the merciful love of your Father;
think of the gracious purpose of these afflictions;
think of that pearl of great price, of which none can rob you;
think of that home where an hour with your God will make up for it all.

Then try, try again and again, from your heart to utter the words, "May Your will be done!" The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?"

Whatever Your sovereign will denies,
I calmly would resign;
For You are good, and just, and wise:
O bend my will to Thine.

Whatever Your sacred will ordains,
O give me strength to bear;
Still let me know my Father reigns,
And trust a Father's care.

~George Everard~

(The End)

Submission In Trial # 1

Submission In Trial # 1

"Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given Me?" (John 18:11).

It is very instructive to compare these words of our Lord Jesus with those spoken by Him in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. There, bowed down beneath the weight of our transgressions, His soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto death. There He prayed fervently, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me - nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."

Twice again does He pray the same words - yet not altogether the same. There is a shade of difference, though still the human will of our Lord shrinks from that which lies before Him. Now it is, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, may Your will be done."

But now after the thrice-offered prayer, after the strength imparted by the angel, the victory is fully won. There is no more shrinking. The human will of the Son is lost in the Divine will of the Father.

Then come the crowd of soldiers and servants, with swords and staves, lanterns and torches. Jesus rebukes the rashness of Peter in drawing the sword, and declares His perfect willingness to suffer and to die: "Put up your sword into the sheath! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?"

O let us consider the CONTENTS of that cup of which Jesus drank.

Every bitter ingredient was there, none was lacking. What bodily suffering and extreme weariness through pain did He endure! No limb of His sacred body, but had a share in the agony He bore.

Beyond this, what soul grief did He endure in the base ingratitude of a people whose every need and sorrow He had been ready to relieve!

What desolation of heart did He experience through...
the treachery of Judas,
the denial of Peter,
the desertion of the rest of His disciples!

What pangs must have rent His spirit when upon the Cross He heard the reproaches that were cast upon Him!
What darkness of soul did He pass through when He uttered the cry, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Who can express, who can fathom one of these depths of untold woe?

Let us consider also, the OBJECT of our Lord in drinking this cup.

The object of our Lord in drinking this cup, was that He might empty at one draught that cup of wrath, which His people must forever have been drinking - and yet never have exhausted!

O blessed Jesus, in Your wondrous love You have taken the poison - that You may give to me the cup of salvation. You have drained to the very dregs that cup in which was the curse due to my sin - that You may give to me the cup of blessing, of peace, of everlasting life.

To my lips, You now hold the cup which is full to the brim of everlasting consolation! You give me Your Word so rich in promise and in hope. You grant to me in overflowing abundance pardoning mercy which can cover all my iniquity. You hold out to me the assurance that my strength shall be equal to my day, and that Your Spirit shall prepare me for Your presence in glory. Oh, how can I thank You enough for all this love of Yours!!

And now what is my cup of sorrow or suffering - compared to Yours? You, the sinless One - for me did drink the cup which was all bitterness. I, the sinful one, have my cup of trial mingled with so many mercies, so many alleviations. If I have pain and weariness to bear - have I not seasons of rest? Have I not the aid of medicine, and skillful advice to promote my recovery or to lessen my sufferings? Have I not those about me who love to minister to my needs? Have I not kind affection to be as a gleam of sunshine in the darkness? Or at least have I not His presence with me, who has promised that He will be my Eternal refuge, and underneath shall be His everlasting arms? And is it not a Father's hand that gives the cup? And may I not thus know that love has prepared it? "Whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."

And surely I need it, as the draught of healing - to cure the deep-rooted maladies of my soul.

Is there no pride in me that needs to be subdued - that I may be as a little child, content to be led by a Father's hand?

Is there not too much readiness to hearken to the siren voice of man's praise, that need to be cast out - that I may seek only the praise that comes from above?

Is there not too much carefulness as to this world's business and duties, that requires so to be brought under control, that I may realize continually that one thing is needful - to walk with God and to seek first His kingdom and righteousness?

Is there not too frequent forgetfulness of the Best Friend that must be so overcome that Jesus must be all my salvation and all my desire? And what will teach me these precious lessons - if it is not the days of adversity and trial? These cheerless and desolate days, these hours of bitter tears come not by chance - but are sent to us in divine faithfulness and love.

They come to lay us lowly, and humbled in the dust,
All self-deception swept away, all creature-hope and trust;
Our helplessness, our vileness, our guiltiness to own,
And flee for hope and refuge to Christ, and Christ alone!

They come to draw us nearer to our Father and our Lord,
More earnestly to seek His face, to listen to His Word,
And to feel, if now around us a desert land we see,
Without the star of promise, what would be darkness be!

We might take a very homely illustration of God's purpose in chastening His people. In agricultural districts it is very common after harvest to hear the burning sound of the threshing machine, and in passing by the allotment or cottage garden, to see the corn spread out and the laborer beating out the grain.

Remember that AFFLICTION IS GOD'S FLAIL - it is God's threshing season. The very word "tribulation" has this meaning. It is taken from a word signifying the wagon or roller with which the ancient beat out their corn.

~George Everard~

(continued with # 2)

Singing In Adversity # 2

Singing In Adversity # 2

Again Paul tells his experience in 2 Corinthians 7:4, "I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles, my joy knows no bounds." He tells why this is: "God, who comforts us in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 1:4). The comfort of God is wonderful. The satisfying, soul-delighting blessedness of it, can be known only by those who have gone deeply into the waters of tribulation. So many in times of trouble, are prone to feel that God does not care for them or to feel that they have offended him. Just when they need Him most, and just when He would be most ready to help - they cease to seek that help and feel they must meet their difficulties in their own strength without the help they so much crave.

Right here many are tempted to give up trying. They feel they are unable to overcome or to endure through to better days. They feel that God has forsaken them in their hour of need. Their feelings and their attitude shut them off from that help which God would delight to give them. It is just here that we need to face things squarely. We need to consider God as He is. We need to take a right view of our relationship with Him.

In the time of the child's need, a true and loving parent yearns with sympathy and with earnest desire to help. The heart of God is more tender than the heart of a mother. His love is stronger than any human love. In these times of tribulation and trouble, of sorrow or care, of anxiety or foreboding - we should remember that He is waiting to take us into His arms and to comfort us with that comfort which only He can give.

The clouds may seems to hide His face; He may seem far off - but He is not far off. The clouds may prevent us from seeing Him - but they do not prevent His seeing us. He does see us and He desires us to turn to Him for that support in trouble which we need in order that the heavy load may be borne. He desires that we confide in Him, and that we pour out our soul's bitterness and longing to Him. He expects us to act as men and women who trust Him. He expects us to use what strength we have. But beyond and above our strength, in His abundant strength and help ready to supply whatever deficiency there may be in us. He always sees the way out of our difficulties. He always knows just how much grace we must have. He always measures out to us the needed supply we must have.

No one has ever lived, who has not had his times of discouragement, heaviness, sorrow, and disappointment. Care and anxiety come to all. Unsaved people have to bear their own burdens, meet their own adversities, suffer their own sorrows - without help. They get through them in some way in their own strength, and we could do the same without divine help. There would always be a way that we could get through somehow. But God knows a better way than we know, and He will help us into that better way. He will give us the strength and fortitude necessary - if we only trust and go forward courageously.

James tells us, "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds." There is a way to do this. That way is the way Paul took. Paul looked behind the tribulations to the outcome. James exhorts us to do likewise. These tribulations all are fruitful. They are good for us. If we bear them as we should - then we shall look back upon them shortly and rejoice that God let them come.

Let us now look at Paul. It was midnight. He and Silas lay in a Philippian dungeon. Their feet were fast in the stocks. Their clothes were torn, their backs were bleeding from the many stripes that had been laid upon them. It seemed that death might be only a little ahead of them. Under these unfavorable circumstances they did not lament - they prayed (Acts 16:25). After they had prayed, they did something else; they sang praises to God. They did not do this for mere bravado. They did not do it to keep the other prisoners awake. They did it because of the joy that was welling up in their own hearts. They were suffering, so they could not sleep; so they spent the time in the very best possible manner. They spent not a moment in regretting what had happened. They did look for the needed help. Their faith reached out to God - and help came. Their souls were filled with joyful praises - and they sang from full hearts.

There were reasons why they could do this. First, they were innocent. They had a consciousness they had one nothing wrong. They had been trying to do good. Now they were suffering for it. There is "rest" - comfort in being innocent under such circumstances, or in any circumstance. A clear conscience inspires to song. So if our conscience is clear, we can rise above our circumstances if we follow the course taken by Paul and Silas.

Second, they were hopeful Christians. They did not look on the dark side. They looked beyond the present suffering and the threatening circumstances. They neither saw the dungeon nor the stocks nor the executioner's sword. They neither felt their galled ankles nor their smarting backs. They looked to God. They saw His approving smile - and they sang praises.

Third, they exercised definite faith. They believed God knew all about their circumstances. They believed they were in His care. They believed nothing could come to them, without coming through His will. So they rested in full assurance of faith in Him - and in their tribulations they sang joyfully. Paul taught others to rejoice, and he set them an example. If we face our adversities as he faced his - we too may sing in adversity.

In adversity we sing a different song than we do when we are untroubled. We must join courage to trust. When we do this, we can sing songs of confidence born of our confidence in God's help. We can sing songs of trust which allay our fears. We can sing songs of anticipation as we look forward to the victories which lie before us, and at the crown at the end of the road. We can sing in joyful remembrance of God's former mercies.

The song of adversity is more difficult to learn, than the song we sing when everything is going pleasantly and prosperously - but these songs are no less joyous in the depths of the heart when they spring from faith. In fact they can go deeper into the depths of the heart and rise with fuller trust. But no matter how many tribulations we have, if we trust God, we may be "exceeding joyful" in all those tribulations.

~Charles Naylor~

(The End)

Singing In Adversity # 1

Singing In Adversity # 1

Life has its adversities. It must needs have them. Adversity, pain, sorrow, and disappointments - are the lathe upon which God shapes us. They are the grinding-wheel which grinds and smoothes us. They are the polishing-wheel which makes us shine. If we can never be happy until we are so situated that nothing which exists may tend to render us unhappy - then we shall have little happiness in life. Happiness does not come from a life of ease and indolence. Happiness comes from triumphing over them. Therefore the song of true happiness often arises from the soul which undergoes many adversities.

Paul understood what life must be. He went through the cities of Asia after he had been stoned and left for dead. "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must trough many hardships and tribulations, enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). He enumerated the things he suffered in his work for Christ. Doubtless you have rad that list again and again. Notwithstanding all this, no one has more to say about rejoicing, being filled with joy, and singing the songs of victory - than does this same sufferer of tribulations.

The Psalmist also knew about tribulations. He said, "I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy - for you have considered my trouble, you have known my soul in adversities" (Psalm 31:7). God did not leave him to himself in his tribulations. Being conscious of this, he could rejoice.

Jesus said to His disciples, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." Did He say, "Mourn and weep because of this?" Did He intimate that they should shrink from them? Did He indicate there was something wrong in them which brought these tribulations? Not so. He had already told them that the world would hate them. Now He showed them that as a result of that hatred of the world, and also as the result of natural conditions in life - they would have tribulations. Did He say to them, "This will take away much from your happiness; you will be sad and disconsolate much of the time; you will sorrow on account of these tribulations, it is too bad you are to have them?" No - He said nothing of the kind! He told them plainly what was to come; then added, "But be of good cheer - I have overcome the world."

Think of the boldness of Jesus in saying this. Just before Him lay Gethsemane. Just beyond that, the trials before the high priest and Pilate, and Calvary awaited Him.He knew this very well. He knew He must pass through the bitterest of tribulations. Nevertheless He said, "Be of good cheer - I have overcome the world."

What a wonderful example for us this is. He has overcome the world not merely for Himself - but for us as well. As the Psalmist pointed out, He knows our adversities. He knows that lying ahead of us there are adversities and difficulties, perhaps dangers, sorrows, and many things to try the soul. He also knows when we are in those things, when they are pressing hard upon us, when we are tempted to bow down our heads and give us. He knows exactly how we feel, how things seem, how the future looks, how the present troubles us. In spite of it all He is saying to us, "Be of good cheer - I have overcome."

Dear soul, Jesus knows all about your troubles. He knows every heartache, every difficulty, everything you must overcome, everything you must bear. Trusting in His grace, relying upon His help - you shall soon find your heart filling again with melody, for the clouds will pass away.

Paul asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Then He adds, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!" (Romans 8:35, 37).

Speaking of our acceptance with God and our justification by faith through grace, Paul says we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2). But are the good things of God all in which we can rejoice? No, for He continues, "And not only so but we glory in tribulations also."

Paul could rejoice in the bad things, as well as in the good things. Why could he do this? Was he a mere enthusiast? Was he a man who shut his eyes to the facts? No, he was sober-minded, consistent, and sane. He looked behind the frowning face of circumstances. He saw the results that follow tribulations. He set them down for us that we might consider them and rejoice with him. "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us!" (Romans 5:3-5). That was the secret of Paul's rejoicing.

~Charles Naylor~

(continued with # 2)