LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

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43 TRIALS

The way we act under trial shows what we are.

Trials and temptations are to Christians what the weights on the old fashioned clocks were—kept them going.

Trials and temptations prove the measure of our moral strength. No man is stronger than his weakest point, even as a chain is no stronger than its weakest link.

As the eagle teaches her young to fly by tearing up the nest, and tossing the little birdlings into the air, thus compelling them to strike out their immature wings, even so God teaches us the life of faith by way of persecution, adversity and trial.

As the damming up of the stream is the secret of increased force and power, so the trial of faith, means increased power and usefulness by giving a stronger grip on God in the development of our graces.

As the ancient Parthians believed that the strength of every foe they conquered entered into their own bodies, so we may gather from every temptation added strength and power. “Each victory will help us another to win.” The time when God proves us is the challenge for us to prove Him. We need to remember that God has placed a “hedge” about His people, as Satan himself had to confess in the case of Job, (1:10) and Satan can not touch us until he has permission from God.

So instead of censuring men, or even going on a tirade against Satan, we should accept all the trials of life, which are beyond our control, as in the permissive providence of God. Nothing can touch His child until it has first passed through the Father’s hands for inspection.

“From vintages of sorrow are deepest joys distilled;

And the cup outstretched for healing is oft at Marah filled.

God leads to joy through weeping, to quietness through strife;

Through yielding into conquest; through death to endless life.

Be still, He hath enrolled thee, for the kingdom and the crown.

Be silent, let Him mold thee, who calleth thee His own.”