April 18 Daily Devotional

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Cor. 12: 9,10

THE faith we have,"is it dross or gold? Adversity will test it. If our faith can support us in times of trial it is genuine.

Some day faith must endure trial even if it has not undergone trial so far. Will it stand in the greatest Of all trials-death? But if we are ready to sink under ordinary afflictions, how can we even hope to bear successfully the ordeal of death? "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?"

Is it not that our faith might stand on that day that trials arc sent to us by a kind heavenly Father? Having passed through hardships it will be sweet to remember how through trials the Lord sealed us with His Spirit.

To many the most precious portions of Scripture are altogether a dead letter. They have to do with suffering, but if we have never passed through the fire how can we know them to be precious? Oh, how in trial we lay hold upon the treasures of the Word as the very truth of God. Then we believe them, rely on them and rejoice in them. This is faith. Thank God for a trust that hangs on the Word of Divine faithfulness.

Holiness should be the chief desire of every Christian. Shall we then shrink from the very means by which God promotes our sanctification? Trials strengthen faith so that it rests on the promises and looks to the Lord Jesus Christ.

When a soul tastes of the sweetness of the Saviour's promises, it says with David, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted."

It is so easy to confess belief in God's sovereignty and admit that all believers should submit to His holy and wise providences. Yes, it is not difficult to accede to this truth so long as our self-love is not interfered with, nor our present happiness invaded, but when the Sovereign God takes from us our most precious possessions and delights, does not our weakness betray itself? Not many in suffering still say, "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

The soul which is indeed convinced of God's justice and goodness lays down every thought of rebellion and discontent. The truly repentant one does not impose terms on the Lord God but yields to His sovereign discretion. There is wonderful peace in such a surrender.

Chastisement leads the believer to look for complete happiness in heaven only. If our refuge is here in this world, then we look heavenward only for the supply of what is deficient here.' But when all expectation of worldly peace and satisfaction is cut off then the released soul rejoices to say, "My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from him."

He is the happy man who dwells most on the thoughts of heaven. Such a mind is not often found among those who have more than heart could wish and are free from care. But in the home of mourning and along the pathway of trial and affliction and distress you will find them. Here you will find the trophies of God's sufficient grace. Here things unseen are evidenced to faith.

There is no disappointment in a hope that can say, "My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from him."