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Trials & providence...
by Spurgeon-
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.
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