“All events are under the ‘providential’ control of God.
All the trials of our outward life are traceable
at once to God, the great First Cause.
Out of the golden gate of God’s providence,
the armies of trial march forth in array,
clad in their iron armor, and armed with weapons of war.
All providences are doors to trial.
Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns.
Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity
as well as in rivers of affliction.
Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are
not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads.
Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with
dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening
cloud; every drop has its order before it hastens to the earth.
The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen
our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace,
to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy.
Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love,
sets so high a value upon his people’s faith that he will not
screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened.
You would never have possessed the precious faith which now
supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire.
You are a tree that never would have rooted so well
if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you
take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace.
Worldly ease is a great foe to faith;
it loosens the joints of holy valour,
and snaps the sinews of sacred courage.
The balloon never rises until the cords are cut;
affliction does this sharp service for believing souls.
While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is
useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting
place before its value can be known.
Thus it is well that Jehovah tries the righteous, for it causes
them to grow rich towards God.”
– Charles Spurgeon
I might have known it was Charles Spurgeon. He spoke from real experience as he faced many trials during his ministry. It is comforting to know that out of what seems gloomy, dark or evil…God brings in His own time and way….great glory to Himself. How great a God we serve! Thank you for this reminder Christina!
“The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen
our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace,
to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy.
Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love,
sets so high a value upon his people’s faith that he will not
screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened.
You would never have possessed the precious faith which now
supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire.
You are a tree that never would have rooted so well
if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you
take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace.”
Oh, amen and amen and amen. How gracious our God is!! Thank you for another reminder, my friend!
Adding another loud amen, Christina.
“Worldly ease is a great foe to faith;
it loosens the joints of holy valour,
and snaps the sinews of sacred courage”
Such truth! It’s crazy how much we value temporal comfort at times when what’s truly satisfying is comfort in the Cross. Thanks for the post!
Plus, I love that picture!!! 🙂
Amen sister….amen!
Job 1:20-12 – 20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. NASB
Spurgeon has such an eloquent and loving way with words. God’s loving mercy and grace were definitely in his heart’s repertoire. Each word and line speak of God’s wisdom, love and utmost care for us.
‘Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love,
sets so high a value upon his people’s faith that he will not
screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened.”
Amen! and blessings, sweet friend!
Our Sermon at Church yesterday was on this same topic, how fitting to read this today. Thank you for the reminder this morning that our trials have a greater purpose and that being a child of God is the greatest blessing, no matter what suffering or situation we are going through right now. Love to you my sweet friend!
Thanks for the post Christina. Good ole Spurgeon! I have often contemplated how every mercy or blessing also has an afflictive side to it at times. Children is the example that comes easily to mind.
Interesting take on this idea, using that image. I am the artist from whose site you grabbed that image. That painting is one I created during a very difficult time in my life — my wife and I had separated (we are now divorced), and the rose had a direct connection to her. I wrote about it here: http://www.darrowart.com/wp/?p=541 — in fact, not wanting to embarrass her at the time, I disguised the fact that she is “the woman from my old neighborhood” in the story.
Still trying to wrap my mind around the idea that God “sent this trial,” though I suppose at some point in the future it may be used for his glory. Seems only to have caused pain and anger and isolation since then — not that I haven’t moved on and am happy now, enjoying life. But what was that relationship and subsequent dissolution for? Y’know?
That cut rose painting symbolized many things to me: My wife’s love of gardening, and her special affection for roses, and, in particular, that one. It also symbolized, through the reality of the story, that life had taken a turn, and the relationship was not as important as personal peace, work, anything else. It also symbolized the ‘cutting off’ that had occurred. And the hope there would come some beauty from that.
I never saw the good. But I have moved on.