Trials And Their ObjectIllustration.Job Hearing Of His Losses. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4.1. What does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials through which every believer must pass?“Beloved,think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”1 Peter 4:12, 13.2. How important is the trial of our faith?“That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:7.Notes.—“When David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and killed Job's children prepared the man of Uz to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it.”—Talmage's“One Thousand Gems,”page 83.Nothing“happens”to the Christian. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character, and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service. The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become stepping-stones to higher ground.[pg 555]3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations?“We glory in tribulations also:knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”Rom. 5:3-5.4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people of God down through the ages?“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many:yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”Dan. 11:33.5. Why was this to be?“And some of them of understanding shall fall,to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end.”Verse 35.6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His followers must pass, what cheering message did Christ send them through the revelator?“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison,that ye may be tried; ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Rev. 2:10, 11. See notes on pages282,314.7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some of God's people in former ages?“Others weretortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial ofcruel mockingsandscourgings, yea, moreover ofbondsandimprisonment: they werestoned, they weresawn asunder, weretempted, wereslain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:)they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”Heb. 11:35-38.8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?“Yea, andall that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”2 Tim. 3:12.9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude[pg 556]of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?“For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but Hefor our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.”Heb. 12:10.11. Referring to Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had prayed?“Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee,that thy faith fail not.”Luke 22:31, 32.12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and temptations of this life?“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”James 1:12.Note.—Says a Christian writer:“Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God‘doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’When He permits trials and afflictions, it is‘for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.’If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple.”There's never a night but is followed by day,And the darkest to dawn must give place:There's never a sorrow that crosses our wayBut is sent with a message of grace.It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,It comes in our pleasures and pain;It comes from the Father of mercies, to bringTo His fold His own stray ones again.O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?Does the load seem too weighty for one?There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,And thy troubles will quickly depart;Make every sweet promise in His precious WordAn entrance to His loving heart.Rev. John Williams.[pg 557]OvercomingIllustration.Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.1. What overcomes the world?“Forwhatsoever is born of Godovercometh the world.”1 John 5:4, first part.2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take courage?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.3. Who is it that overcomes?“Who is he that overcometh the world, buthe that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”1 John 5:5.4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of overcoming?“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, evenour faith.”Verse 4. last part.[pg 558]5. Through whom do we obtain the victory?“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Cor. 15:57.“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough Him that loved us.”Rom. 8:37.6. How did Christ overcome when tempted?By the Word of God. See Matt. 4:1-11.7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the enemy?“And they overcame himby the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?“Be not overcome of evil, butovercome evil with good.”Rom. 12:21.9. Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”Gen. 32:28.Exceeding Great And Precious Promises“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”Rev. 2:7.“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Verse 11.“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”Verse 17.“He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”Verse 26.“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.”Verse 12.“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”Verse 21.“He that overcometh shall inheritall things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”Rev. 21:7.[pg 559]Illustration.Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.[pg 560]The Ministry Of SorrowIllustration.Gethsemane. "He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. 3:33.1. Why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting?“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting:for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”Eccl. 7:2.2. What did David ask God to teach him?“Lord,make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is,that I may know how frail I am.”Ps. 39:4. See also Ps. 90:12.3. Why is sorrow better than laughter?“Sorrow is better than laughter:for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”Eccl. 7:3.Note.—“Many of the loveliest songs of peace and trust and hope which God's children sing in this world they have been taught in the hushed and darkened chambers of sorrow.... Afflictions, sanctified, soften the asperities of life. They tame the wildness of nature. They temper human ambitions. They burn out the dross of selfishness and worldliness. They humble pride. They quell fierce passions. They reveal to men their own hearts, their own weakness, faults, blemishes, and perils. They teach patience and submission. They discipline unruly spirits. They deepen and enrich our experience.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 92, 93.4. Are the righteous freed from afflictions in this world?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.[pg 561]5. Does God delight to afflict any?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.6. Does He afflict to leave the one chastened in despair?“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:for He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.”Job 5:17, 18.7. In what language is the same truth again expressed?“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: forHe hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”Hosea 6:1. See also Isa. 61:1-3.8. Whom does the Lord chasten?“Forwhom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:6.9. Is this, for the time being, a source of pleasure?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.Note.—“Many of the sweetest joys of Christian hearts are songs which have been learned in the bitterness of trial.”“Many a cold, icy nature is made warm and tender by the grief that crushes it.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 91, 93.10. What, aside from sin, causes more sorrow than all else?Death, or the loss of loved ones.11. Does death bring to Christians unassuaged sorrow?“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.Note.—The loss of loved ones God often uses as a means of conversion, and of severing the ties which bind to earth. Persecution; sickness; the loss of sight, hearing, or limb; the loss of property; or other calamities, may likewise be instrumental in drawing us nearer to God. See Ps. 119:71; Isa. 26:9.12. What do our transient afflictions do for us?“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”2 Cor. 4:17. See Rom. 8:28.[pg 562]Comfort In AfflictionIllustration.David Mourning For Absalom. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee." Isa. 43:2.1. Are God's people free from affliction?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.2. How does God regard the afflicted?“Heheareth the cryof the afflicted.”Job 34:28.3. What has He promised to be to those in trouble?“God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.”Ps. 46:1.4. With what feelings does the Lord look upon His children?“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”Ps. 103:13.5. What does He know and remember?“For He knowethour frame; He remembereththat we are dust.”Verse 14.6. What has the Lord promised to be to the oppressed?“The Lord also will bea refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Ps. 9:9.7. What has God promised His children when passing through trials and afflictions?[pg 563]“When thou passest through the waters,I will be with thee; and through the rivers,they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”Isa. 43:2.8. What did David say with reference to his being afflicted?“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.”Ps. 119:71.9. When afflicted, for what did he pray?“Look upon my affliction and my pain; andforgive all my sins.”Ps. 25:18.10. Before he was afflicted, what did he do?“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”Ps. 119:67.11. What did Christ learn through suffering?“Though He were a Son, yetlearned He obedience by the things which He suffered.”Heb. 5:8.12. In perfecting character, what must come to all?“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thouthe chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:5, 6.13. Is this chastening a pleasant experience?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.14. What courage and strength, therefore, should come to us even in the hour of affliction?“Whereforelift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.”Verse 12. See also Job 4:3, 4; Isa. 35:3.15. What did Job say in the midst of his afflictions?“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”Job 13:15.16. What is God called in the Scriptures?“The God of all comfort.”2 Cor. 1:3.17. Whom does God comfort?“God, that comforteththose that are cast down.”2 Cor. 7:6.[pg 564]Illustration.Christ The Consoler. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.[pg 565]18. What promise is made to those that mourn?“Blessed are they that mourn: forthey shall be comforted.”Matt. 5:4.19. Why does God comfort us in tribulation?“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where-*with we ourselves are comforted of God.”2 Cor. 1:4.Note.—One who has passed through trouble and affliction himself, and received comfort from God, is better able to minister comfort to others.20. How should we sympathize with others in their sorrows?“Weep with them that weep.”Rom. 12:15.“To him that is afflictedpity should be showed from his friend.”Job 6:14.21. Does Jesus sympathize with us in our afflictions?“For we have not an high priest which cannot betouched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are.”Heb. 4:15.22. How did He manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary and her friends weeping over the death of Lazarus?“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her,He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.Jesus wept.”John 11:33-35.Note.—Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep. Looking down through the ages, He saw the tears and the heartaches which death would bring to mankind in this sin-stricken world. His heart was touched with human woe, and He wept with those that wept.23. Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has every one who loves God?“And we know thatall things work together for good to them that love God.”Rom. 8:28.Note.—If one loves God, he may rest assured that out of every trial and affliction good will come.24. In bereavement, like whom should we not sorrow?“As others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.25. When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words are we told to comfort one another?“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,[pg 566]with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”Verses 14-18.26. What promise has God made to bereaved mothers?“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; andthey shall come again from the land of the enemy.”Jer. 31:16.27. What did Christ say would be the experience of His people in this world?“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”“Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: andye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”John 16:33, 20.28. In what respect is the reaping of God's people to differ from their sowing?“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth andweepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again withrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”Ps. 126:5, 6.Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned,And sun and moon forevermore have set,The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,And we shall see how all God's ways were right,And how what seemed reproof was love most true.May Riley Smith.Be of good cheer! I know sometimeLife's song will run in perfect rhyme.Somewhere, I know, all things will beAttuned to perfect harmony.Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrainShall be its own surcease of pain.The compensation love will sendWill be in bringing friend to friend;And all the heartaches that we bore,In God's good time will be no more.Robert Lee Walden.[pg 567]Trusting In JesusIllustration.Peter's Deliverance. "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. 15:12.1. What did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ?“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people;to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.”Isa. 11:10.Note.—Paul renders this,“In Him shall the Gentilestrust.”Rom. 15:12.2. Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?“That we should beto the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”Eph. 1:12.3. What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”Verse 13, first part.4. What experience followed this trust in Jesus?“In whom also after that ye believed,ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”Verse 13, last part.Note.—To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.5. What is the gospel to every one that believes?“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: forit is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”Rom. 1:16.[pg 568]6. How does God regard one who abandons his faith?“Now the just shall live by faith: butif any man draw back My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”Heb. 10:38.7. Is there danger of believers losing their hold on Christ?“And because iniquity shall abound,the love of many shall wax cold.”Matt. 24:12.8. By what does one gain the victory over the world?“This is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith.”1 John 5:4.9. What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet cheerfully the troubles and trials of life?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: butbe of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.10. What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; andthey loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).”Heb. 11:36-38.11. What did it lead Moses to do?“By faith Moses, when he was come to years,refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”Verses 24-26.12. What is promised those who trust in Jesus?“There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, buthe shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; andin the world to come eternal life.”Mark 10:29, 30.13. What is Jesus able to do?“Now unto Him that isable to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory.”Jude 24.[pg 569]
Trials And Their ObjectIllustration.Job Hearing Of His Losses. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4.1. What does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials through which every believer must pass?“Beloved,think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”1 Peter 4:12, 13.2. How important is the trial of our faith?“That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:7.Notes.—“When David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and killed Job's children prepared the man of Uz to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it.”—Talmage's“One Thousand Gems,”page 83.Nothing“happens”to the Christian. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character, and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service. The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become stepping-stones to higher ground.[pg 555]3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations?“We glory in tribulations also:knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”Rom. 5:3-5.4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people of God down through the ages?“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many:yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”Dan. 11:33.5. Why was this to be?“And some of them of understanding shall fall,to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end.”Verse 35.6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His followers must pass, what cheering message did Christ send them through the revelator?“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison,that ye may be tried; ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Rev. 2:10, 11. See notes on pages282,314.7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some of God's people in former ages?“Others weretortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial ofcruel mockingsandscourgings, yea, moreover ofbondsandimprisonment: they werestoned, they weresawn asunder, weretempted, wereslain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:)they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”Heb. 11:35-38.8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?“Yea, andall that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”2 Tim. 3:12.9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude[pg 556]of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?“For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but Hefor our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.”Heb. 12:10.11. Referring to Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had prayed?“Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee,that thy faith fail not.”Luke 22:31, 32.12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and temptations of this life?“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”James 1:12.Note.—Says a Christian writer:“Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God‘doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’When He permits trials and afflictions, it is‘for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.’If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple.”There's never a night but is followed by day,And the darkest to dawn must give place:There's never a sorrow that crosses our wayBut is sent with a message of grace.It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,It comes in our pleasures and pain;It comes from the Father of mercies, to bringTo His fold His own stray ones again.O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?Does the load seem too weighty for one?There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,And thy troubles will quickly depart;Make every sweet promise in His precious WordAn entrance to His loving heart.Rev. John Williams.[pg 557]OvercomingIllustration.Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.1. What overcomes the world?“Forwhatsoever is born of Godovercometh the world.”1 John 5:4, first part.2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take courage?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.3. Who is it that overcomes?“Who is he that overcometh the world, buthe that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”1 John 5:5.4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of overcoming?“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, evenour faith.”Verse 4. last part.[pg 558]5. Through whom do we obtain the victory?“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Cor. 15:57.“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough Him that loved us.”Rom. 8:37.6. How did Christ overcome when tempted?By the Word of God. See Matt. 4:1-11.7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the enemy?“And they overcame himby the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?“Be not overcome of evil, butovercome evil with good.”Rom. 12:21.9. Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”Gen. 32:28.Exceeding Great And Precious Promises“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”Rev. 2:7.“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Verse 11.“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”Verse 17.“He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”Verse 26.“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.”Verse 12.“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”Verse 21.“He that overcometh shall inheritall things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”Rev. 21:7.[pg 559]Illustration.Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.[pg 560]The Ministry Of SorrowIllustration.Gethsemane. "He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. 3:33.1. Why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting?“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting:for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”Eccl. 7:2.2. What did David ask God to teach him?“Lord,make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is,that I may know how frail I am.”Ps. 39:4. See also Ps. 90:12.3. Why is sorrow better than laughter?“Sorrow is better than laughter:for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”Eccl. 7:3.Note.—“Many of the loveliest songs of peace and trust and hope which God's children sing in this world they have been taught in the hushed and darkened chambers of sorrow.... Afflictions, sanctified, soften the asperities of life. They tame the wildness of nature. They temper human ambitions. They burn out the dross of selfishness and worldliness. They humble pride. They quell fierce passions. They reveal to men their own hearts, their own weakness, faults, blemishes, and perils. They teach patience and submission. They discipline unruly spirits. They deepen and enrich our experience.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 92, 93.4. Are the righteous freed from afflictions in this world?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.[pg 561]5. Does God delight to afflict any?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.6. Does He afflict to leave the one chastened in despair?“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:for He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.”Job 5:17, 18.7. In what language is the same truth again expressed?“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: forHe hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”Hosea 6:1. See also Isa. 61:1-3.8. Whom does the Lord chasten?“Forwhom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:6.9. Is this, for the time being, a source of pleasure?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.Note.—“Many of the sweetest joys of Christian hearts are songs which have been learned in the bitterness of trial.”“Many a cold, icy nature is made warm and tender by the grief that crushes it.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 91, 93.10. What, aside from sin, causes more sorrow than all else?Death, or the loss of loved ones.11. Does death bring to Christians unassuaged sorrow?“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.Note.—The loss of loved ones God often uses as a means of conversion, and of severing the ties which bind to earth. Persecution; sickness; the loss of sight, hearing, or limb; the loss of property; or other calamities, may likewise be instrumental in drawing us nearer to God. See Ps. 119:71; Isa. 26:9.12. What do our transient afflictions do for us?“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”2 Cor. 4:17. See Rom. 8:28.[pg 562]Comfort In AfflictionIllustration.David Mourning For Absalom. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee." Isa. 43:2.1. Are God's people free from affliction?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.2. How does God regard the afflicted?“Heheareth the cryof the afflicted.”Job 34:28.3. What has He promised to be to those in trouble?“God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.”Ps. 46:1.4. With what feelings does the Lord look upon His children?“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”Ps. 103:13.5. What does He know and remember?“For He knowethour frame; He remembereththat we are dust.”Verse 14.6. What has the Lord promised to be to the oppressed?“The Lord also will bea refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Ps. 9:9.7. What has God promised His children when passing through trials and afflictions?[pg 563]“When thou passest through the waters,I will be with thee; and through the rivers,they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”Isa. 43:2.8. What did David say with reference to his being afflicted?“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.”Ps. 119:71.9. When afflicted, for what did he pray?“Look upon my affliction and my pain; andforgive all my sins.”Ps. 25:18.10. Before he was afflicted, what did he do?“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”Ps. 119:67.11. What did Christ learn through suffering?“Though He were a Son, yetlearned He obedience by the things which He suffered.”Heb. 5:8.12. In perfecting character, what must come to all?“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thouthe chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:5, 6.13. Is this chastening a pleasant experience?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.14. What courage and strength, therefore, should come to us even in the hour of affliction?“Whereforelift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.”Verse 12. See also Job 4:3, 4; Isa. 35:3.15. What did Job say in the midst of his afflictions?“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”Job 13:15.16. What is God called in the Scriptures?“The God of all comfort.”2 Cor. 1:3.17. Whom does God comfort?“God, that comforteththose that are cast down.”2 Cor. 7:6.[pg 564]Illustration.Christ The Consoler. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.[pg 565]18. What promise is made to those that mourn?“Blessed are they that mourn: forthey shall be comforted.”Matt. 5:4.19. Why does God comfort us in tribulation?“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where-*with we ourselves are comforted of God.”2 Cor. 1:4.Note.—One who has passed through trouble and affliction himself, and received comfort from God, is better able to minister comfort to others.20. How should we sympathize with others in their sorrows?“Weep with them that weep.”Rom. 12:15.“To him that is afflictedpity should be showed from his friend.”Job 6:14.21. Does Jesus sympathize with us in our afflictions?“For we have not an high priest which cannot betouched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are.”Heb. 4:15.22. How did He manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary and her friends weeping over the death of Lazarus?“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her,He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.Jesus wept.”John 11:33-35.Note.—Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep. Looking down through the ages, He saw the tears and the heartaches which death would bring to mankind in this sin-stricken world. His heart was touched with human woe, and He wept with those that wept.23. Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has every one who loves God?“And we know thatall things work together for good to them that love God.”Rom. 8:28.Note.—If one loves God, he may rest assured that out of every trial and affliction good will come.24. In bereavement, like whom should we not sorrow?“As others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.25. When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words are we told to comfort one another?“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,[pg 566]with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”Verses 14-18.26. What promise has God made to bereaved mothers?“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; andthey shall come again from the land of the enemy.”Jer. 31:16.27. What did Christ say would be the experience of His people in this world?“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”“Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: andye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”John 16:33, 20.28. In what respect is the reaping of God's people to differ from their sowing?“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth andweepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again withrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”Ps. 126:5, 6.Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned,And sun and moon forevermore have set,The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,And we shall see how all God's ways were right,And how what seemed reproof was love most true.May Riley Smith.Be of good cheer! I know sometimeLife's song will run in perfect rhyme.Somewhere, I know, all things will beAttuned to perfect harmony.Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrainShall be its own surcease of pain.The compensation love will sendWill be in bringing friend to friend;And all the heartaches that we bore,In God's good time will be no more.Robert Lee Walden.[pg 567]Trusting In JesusIllustration.Peter's Deliverance. "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. 15:12.1. What did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ?“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people;to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.”Isa. 11:10.Note.—Paul renders this,“In Him shall the Gentilestrust.”Rom. 15:12.2. Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?“That we should beto the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”Eph. 1:12.3. What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”Verse 13, first part.4. What experience followed this trust in Jesus?“In whom also after that ye believed,ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”Verse 13, last part.Note.—To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.5. What is the gospel to every one that believes?“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: forit is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”Rom. 1:16.[pg 568]6. How does God regard one who abandons his faith?“Now the just shall live by faith: butif any man draw back My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”Heb. 10:38.7. Is there danger of believers losing their hold on Christ?“And because iniquity shall abound,the love of many shall wax cold.”Matt. 24:12.8. By what does one gain the victory over the world?“This is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith.”1 John 5:4.9. What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet cheerfully the troubles and trials of life?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: butbe of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.10. What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; andthey loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).”Heb. 11:36-38.11. What did it lead Moses to do?“By faith Moses, when he was come to years,refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”Verses 24-26.12. What is promised those who trust in Jesus?“There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, buthe shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; andin the world to come eternal life.”Mark 10:29, 30.13. What is Jesus able to do?“Now unto Him that isable to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory.”Jude 24.[pg 569]
Trials And Their ObjectIllustration.Job Hearing Of His Losses. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4.1. What does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials through which every believer must pass?“Beloved,think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”1 Peter 4:12, 13.2. How important is the trial of our faith?“That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:7.Notes.—“When David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and killed Job's children prepared the man of Uz to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it.”—Talmage's“One Thousand Gems,”page 83.Nothing“happens”to the Christian. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character, and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service. The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become stepping-stones to higher ground.[pg 555]3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations?“We glory in tribulations also:knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”Rom. 5:3-5.4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people of God down through the ages?“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many:yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”Dan. 11:33.5. Why was this to be?“And some of them of understanding shall fall,to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end.”Verse 35.6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His followers must pass, what cheering message did Christ send them through the revelator?“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison,that ye may be tried; ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Rev. 2:10, 11. See notes on pages282,314.7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some of God's people in former ages?“Others weretortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial ofcruel mockingsandscourgings, yea, moreover ofbondsandimprisonment: they werestoned, they weresawn asunder, weretempted, wereslain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:)they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”Heb. 11:35-38.8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?“Yea, andall that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”2 Tim. 3:12.9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude[pg 556]of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?“For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but Hefor our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.”Heb. 12:10.11. Referring to Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had prayed?“Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee,that thy faith fail not.”Luke 22:31, 32.12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and temptations of this life?“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”James 1:12.Note.—Says a Christian writer:“Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God‘doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’When He permits trials and afflictions, it is‘for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.’If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple.”There's never a night but is followed by day,And the darkest to dawn must give place:There's never a sorrow that crosses our wayBut is sent with a message of grace.It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,It comes in our pleasures and pain;It comes from the Father of mercies, to bringTo His fold His own stray ones again.O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?Does the load seem too weighty for one?There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,And thy troubles will quickly depart;Make every sweet promise in His precious WordAn entrance to His loving heart.Rev. John Williams.[pg 557]OvercomingIllustration.Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.1. What overcomes the world?“Forwhatsoever is born of Godovercometh the world.”1 John 5:4, first part.2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take courage?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.3. Who is it that overcomes?“Who is he that overcometh the world, buthe that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”1 John 5:5.4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of overcoming?“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, evenour faith.”Verse 4. last part.[pg 558]5. Through whom do we obtain the victory?“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Cor. 15:57.“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough Him that loved us.”Rom. 8:37.6. How did Christ overcome when tempted?By the Word of God. See Matt. 4:1-11.7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the enemy?“And they overcame himby the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?“Be not overcome of evil, butovercome evil with good.”Rom. 12:21.9. Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”Gen. 32:28.Exceeding Great And Precious Promises“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”Rev. 2:7.“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Verse 11.“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”Verse 17.“He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”Verse 26.“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.”Verse 12.“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”Verse 21.“He that overcometh shall inheritall things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”Rev. 21:7.[pg 559]Illustration.Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.[pg 560]The Ministry Of SorrowIllustration.Gethsemane. "He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. 3:33.1. Why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting?“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting:for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”Eccl. 7:2.2. What did David ask God to teach him?“Lord,make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is,that I may know how frail I am.”Ps. 39:4. See also Ps. 90:12.3. Why is sorrow better than laughter?“Sorrow is better than laughter:for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”Eccl. 7:3.Note.—“Many of the loveliest songs of peace and trust and hope which God's children sing in this world they have been taught in the hushed and darkened chambers of sorrow.... Afflictions, sanctified, soften the asperities of life. They tame the wildness of nature. They temper human ambitions. They burn out the dross of selfishness and worldliness. They humble pride. They quell fierce passions. They reveal to men their own hearts, their own weakness, faults, blemishes, and perils. They teach patience and submission. They discipline unruly spirits. They deepen and enrich our experience.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 92, 93.4. Are the righteous freed from afflictions in this world?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.[pg 561]5. Does God delight to afflict any?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.6. Does He afflict to leave the one chastened in despair?“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:for He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.”Job 5:17, 18.7. In what language is the same truth again expressed?“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: forHe hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”Hosea 6:1. See also Isa. 61:1-3.8. Whom does the Lord chasten?“Forwhom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:6.9. Is this, for the time being, a source of pleasure?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.Note.—“Many of the sweetest joys of Christian hearts are songs which have been learned in the bitterness of trial.”“Many a cold, icy nature is made warm and tender by the grief that crushes it.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 91, 93.10. What, aside from sin, causes more sorrow than all else?Death, or the loss of loved ones.11. Does death bring to Christians unassuaged sorrow?“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.Note.—The loss of loved ones God often uses as a means of conversion, and of severing the ties which bind to earth. Persecution; sickness; the loss of sight, hearing, or limb; the loss of property; or other calamities, may likewise be instrumental in drawing us nearer to God. See Ps. 119:71; Isa. 26:9.12. What do our transient afflictions do for us?“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”2 Cor. 4:17. See Rom. 8:28.[pg 562]Comfort In AfflictionIllustration.David Mourning For Absalom. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee." Isa. 43:2.1. Are God's people free from affliction?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.2. How does God regard the afflicted?“Heheareth the cryof the afflicted.”Job 34:28.3. What has He promised to be to those in trouble?“God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.”Ps. 46:1.4. With what feelings does the Lord look upon His children?“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”Ps. 103:13.5. What does He know and remember?“For He knowethour frame; He remembereththat we are dust.”Verse 14.6. What has the Lord promised to be to the oppressed?“The Lord also will bea refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Ps. 9:9.7. What has God promised His children when passing through trials and afflictions?[pg 563]“When thou passest through the waters,I will be with thee; and through the rivers,they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”Isa. 43:2.8. What did David say with reference to his being afflicted?“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.”Ps. 119:71.9. When afflicted, for what did he pray?“Look upon my affliction and my pain; andforgive all my sins.”Ps. 25:18.10. Before he was afflicted, what did he do?“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”Ps. 119:67.11. What did Christ learn through suffering?“Though He were a Son, yetlearned He obedience by the things which He suffered.”Heb. 5:8.12. In perfecting character, what must come to all?“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thouthe chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:5, 6.13. Is this chastening a pleasant experience?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.14. What courage and strength, therefore, should come to us even in the hour of affliction?“Whereforelift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.”Verse 12. See also Job 4:3, 4; Isa. 35:3.15. What did Job say in the midst of his afflictions?“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”Job 13:15.16. What is God called in the Scriptures?“The God of all comfort.”2 Cor. 1:3.17. Whom does God comfort?“God, that comforteththose that are cast down.”2 Cor. 7:6.[pg 564]Illustration.Christ The Consoler. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.[pg 565]18. What promise is made to those that mourn?“Blessed are they that mourn: forthey shall be comforted.”Matt. 5:4.19. Why does God comfort us in tribulation?“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where-*with we ourselves are comforted of God.”2 Cor. 1:4.Note.—One who has passed through trouble and affliction himself, and received comfort from God, is better able to minister comfort to others.20. How should we sympathize with others in their sorrows?“Weep with them that weep.”Rom. 12:15.“To him that is afflictedpity should be showed from his friend.”Job 6:14.21. Does Jesus sympathize with us in our afflictions?“For we have not an high priest which cannot betouched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are.”Heb. 4:15.22. How did He manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary and her friends weeping over the death of Lazarus?“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her,He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.Jesus wept.”John 11:33-35.Note.—Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep. Looking down through the ages, He saw the tears and the heartaches which death would bring to mankind in this sin-stricken world. His heart was touched with human woe, and He wept with those that wept.23. Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has every one who loves God?“And we know thatall things work together for good to them that love God.”Rom. 8:28.Note.—If one loves God, he may rest assured that out of every trial and affliction good will come.24. In bereavement, like whom should we not sorrow?“As others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.25. When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words are we told to comfort one another?“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,[pg 566]with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”Verses 14-18.26. What promise has God made to bereaved mothers?“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; andthey shall come again from the land of the enemy.”Jer. 31:16.27. What did Christ say would be the experience of His people in this world?“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”“Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: andye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”John 16:33, 20.28. In what respect is the reaping of God's people to differ from their sowing?“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth andweepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again withrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”Ps. 126:5, 6.Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned,And sun and moon forevermore have set,The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,And we shall see how all God's ways were right,And how what seemed reproof was love most true.May Riley Smith.Be of good cheer! I know sometimeLife's song will run in perfect rhyme.Somewhere, I know, all things will beAttuned to perfect harmony.Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrainShall be its own surcease of pain.The compensation love will sendWill be in bringing friend to friend;And all the heartaches that we bore,In God's good time will be no more.Robert Lee Walden.[pg 567]Trusting In JesusIllustration.Peter's Deliverance. "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. 15:12.1. What did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ?“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people;to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.”Isa. 11:10.Note.—Paul renders this,“In Him shall the Gentilestrust.”Rom. 15:12.2. Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?“That we should beto the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”Eph. 1:12.3. What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”Verse 13, first part.4. What experience followed this trust in Jesus?“In whom also after that ye believed,ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”Verse 13, last part.Note.—To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.5. What is the gospel to every one that believes?“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: forit is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”Rom. 1:16.[pg 568]6. How does God regard one who abandons his faith?“Now the just shall live by faith: butif any man draw back My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”Heb. 10:38.7. Is there danger of believers losing their hold on Christ?“And because iniquity shall abound,the love of many shall wax cold.”Matt. 24:12.8. By what does one gain the victory over the world?“This is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith.”1 John 5:4.9. What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet cheerfully the troubles and trials of life?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: butbe of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.10. What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; andthey loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).”Heb. 11:36-38.11. What did it lead Moses to do?“By faith Moses, when he was come to years,refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”Verses 24-26.12. What is promised those who trust in Jesus?“There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, buthe shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; andin the world to come eternal life.”Mark 10:29, 30.13. What is Jesus able to do?“Now unto Him that isable to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory.”Jude 24.[pg 569]
Trials And Their ObjectIllustration.Job Hearing Of His Losses. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4.1. What does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials through which every believer must pass?“Beloved,think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”1 Peter 4:12, 13.2. How important is the trial of our faith?“That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:7.Notes.—“When David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and killed Job's children prepared the man of Uz to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it.”—Talmage's“One Thousand Gems,”page 83.Nothing“happens”to the Christian. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character, and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service. The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become stepping-stones to higher ground.[pg 555]3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations?“We glory in tribulations also:knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”Rom. 5:3-5.4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people of God down through the ages?“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many:yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”Dan. 11:33.5. Why was this to be?“And some of them of understanding shall fall,to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end.”Verse 35.6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His followers must pass, what cheering message did Christ send them through the revelator?“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison,that ye may be tried; ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Rev. 2:10, 11. See notes on pages282,314.7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some of God's people in former ages?“Others weretortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial ofcruel mockingsandscourgings, yea, moreover ofbondsandimprisonment: they werestoned, they weresawn asunder, weretempted, wereslain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:)they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”Heb. 11:35-38.8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?“Yea, andall that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”2 Tim. 3:12.9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude[pg 556]of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?“For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but Hefor our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.”Heb. 12:10.11. Referring to Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had prayed?“Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee,that thy faith fail not.”Luke 22:31, 32.12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and temptations of this life?“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”James 1:12.Note.—Says a Christian writer:“Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God‘doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’When He permits trials and afflictions, it is‘for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.’If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple.”There's never a night but is followed by day,And the darkest to dawn must give place:There's never a sorrow that crosses our wayBut is sent with a message of grace.It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,It comes in our pleasures and pain;It comes from the Father of mercies, to bringTo His fold His own stray ones again.O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?Does the load seem too weighty for one?There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,And thy troubles will quickly depart;Make every sweet promise in His precious WordAn entrance to His loving heart.Rev. John Williams.
Illustration.Job Hearing Of His Losses. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4.
Job Hearing Of His Losses. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4.
1. What does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials through which every believer must pass?
“Beloved,think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”1 Peter 4:12, 13.
2. How important is the trial of our faith?
“That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:7.
Notes.—“When David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and killed Job's children prepared the man of Uz to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it.”—Talmage's“One Thousand Gems,”page 83.Nothing“happens”to the Christian. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character, and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service. The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become stepping-stones to higher ground.
Notes.—“When David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and killed Job's children prepared the man of Uz to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it.”—Talmage's“One Thousand Gems,”page 83.
Nothing“happens”to the Christian. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character, and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service. The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become stepping-stones to higher ground.
3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations?
“We glory in tribulations also:knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”Rom. 5:3-5.
4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people of God down through the ages?
“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many:yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”Dan. 11:33.
5. Why was this to be?
“And some of them of understanding shall fall,to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end.”Verse 35.
6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His followers must pass, what cheering message did Christ send them through the revelator?
“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison,that ye may be tried; ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Rev. 2:10, 11. See notes on pages282,314.
7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some of God's people in former ages?
“Others weretortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial ofcruel mockingsandscourgings, yea, moreover ofbondsandimprisonment: they werestoned, they weresawn asunder, weretempted, wereslain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:)they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”Heb. 11:35-38.
8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?
“Yea, andall that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”2 Tim. 3:12.
9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?
“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude[pg 556]of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.
10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?
“For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but Hefor our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.”Heb. 12:10.
11. Referring to Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had prayed?
“Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee,that thy faith fail not.”Luke 22:31, 32.
12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and temptations of this life?
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”James 1:12.
Note.—Says a Christian writer:“Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God‘doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’When He permits trials and afflictions, it is‘for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.’If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple.”
There's never a night but is followed by day,And the darkest to dawn must give place:There's never a sorrow that crosses our wayBut is sent with a message of grace.It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,It comes in our pleasures and pain;It comes from the Father of mercies, to bringTo His fold His own stray ones again.O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?Does the load seem too weighty for one?There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,And thy troubles will quickly depart;Make every sweet promise in His precious WordAn entrance to His loving heart.Rev. John Williams.
There's never a night but is followed by day,And the darkest to dawn must give place:There's never a sorrow that crosses our wayBut is sent with a message of grace.It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,It comes in our pleasures and pain;It comes from the Father of mercies, to bringTo His fold His own stray ones again.O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?Does the load seem too weighty for one?There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,And thy troubles will quickly depart;Make every sweet promise in His precious WordAn entrance to His loving heart.
There's never a night but is followed by day,
And the darkest to dawn must give place:
There's never a sorrow that crosses our way
But is sent with a message of grace.
It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,
It comes in our pleasures and pain;
It comes from the Father of mercies, to bring
To His fold His own stray ones again.
O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?
Does the load seem too weighty for one?
There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,
'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.
Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,
And thy troubles will quickly depart;
Make every sweet promise in His precious Word
An entrance to His loving heart.
Rev. John Williams.
OvercomingIllustration.Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.1. What overcomes the world?“Forwhatsoever is born of Godovercometh the world.”1 John 5:4, first part.2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take courage?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.3. Who is it that overcomes?“Who is he that overcometh the world, buthe that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”1 John 5:5.4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of overcoming?“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, evenour faith.”Verse 4. last part.[pg 558]5. Through whom do we obtain the victory?“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Cor. 15:57.“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough Him that loved us.”Rom. 8:37.6. How did Christ overcome when tempted?By the Word of God. See Matt. 4:1-11.7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the enemy?“And they overcame himby the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?“Be not overcome of evil, butovercome evil with good.”Rom. 12:21.9. Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”Gen. 32:28.Exceeding Great And Precious Promises“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”Rev. 2:7.“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Verse 11.“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”Verse 17.“He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”Verse 26.“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.”Verse 12.“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”Verse 21.“He that overcometh shall inheritall things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”Rev. 21:7.[pg 559]Illustration.Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.
Illustration.Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.
Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.
1. What overcomes the world?
“Forwhatsoever is born of Godovercometh the world.”1 John 5:4, first part.
2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take courage?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.
3. Who is it that overcomes?
“Who is he that overcometh the world, buthe that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”1 John 5:5.
4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of overcoming?
“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, evenour faith.”Verse 4. last part.
5. Through whom do we obtain the victory?
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Cor. 15:57.“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough Him that loved us.”Rom. 8:37.
6. How did Christ overcome when tempted?
By the Word of God. See Matt. 4:1-11.
7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the enemy?
“And they overcame himby the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.
8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?
“Be not overcome of evil, butovercome evil with good.”Rom. 12:21.
9. Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”Gen. 32:28.
Exceeding Great And Precious Promises“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”Rev. 2:7.“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Verse 11.“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”Verse 17.“He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”Verse 26.“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.”Verse 12.“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”Verse 21.“He that overcometh shall inheritall things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”Rev. 21:7.[pg 559]Illustration.Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”Rev. 2:7.
“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”Verse 11.
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”Verse 17.
“He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”Verse 26.
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.”Verse 12.
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”Verse 21.
“He that overcometh shall inheritall things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”Rev. 21:7.
Illustration.Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.
Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.
The Ministry Of SorrowIllustration.Gethsemane. "He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. 3:33.1. Why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting?“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting:for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”Eccl. 7:2.2. What did David ask God to teach him?“Lord,make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is,that I may know how frail I am.”Ps. 39:4. See also Ps. 90:12.3. Why is sorrow better than laughter?“Sorrow is better than laughter:for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”Eccl. 7:3.Note.—“Many of the loveliest songs of peace and trust and hope which God's children sing in this world they have been taught in the hushed and darkened chambers of sorrow.... Afflictions, sanctified, soften the asperities of life. They tame the wildness of nature. They temper human ambitions. They burn out the dross of selfishness and worldliness. They humble pride. They quell fierce passions. They reveal to men their own hearts, their own weakness, faults, blemishes, and perils. They teach patience and submission. They discipline unruly spirits. They deepen and enrich our experience.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 92, 93.4. Are the righteous freed from afflictions in this world?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.[pg 561]5. Does God delight to afflict any?“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.6. Does He afflict to leave the one chastened in despair?“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:for He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.”Job 5:17, 18.7. In what language is the same truth again expressed?“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: forHe hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”Hosea 6:1. See also Isa. 61:1-3.8. Whom does the Lord chasten?“Forwhom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:6.9. Is this, for the time being, a source of pleasure?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.Note.—“Many of the sweetest joys of Christian hearts are songs which have been learned in the bitterness of trial.”“Many a cold, icy nature is made warm and tender by the grief that crushes it.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 91, 93.10. What, aside from sin, causes more sorrow than all else?Death, or the loss of loved ones.11. Does death bring to Christians unassuaged sorrow?“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.Note.—The loss of loved ones God often uses as a means of conversion, and of severing the ties which bind to earth. Persecution; sickness; the loss of sight, hearing, or limb; the loss of property; or other calamities, may likewise be instrumental in drawing us nearer to God. See Ps. 119:71; Isa. 26:9.12. What do our transient afflictions do for us?“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”2 Cor. 4:17. See Rom. 8:28.
Illustration.Gethsemane. "He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. 3:33.
Gethsemane. "He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. 3:33.
1. Why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting?
“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting:for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”Eccl. 7:2.
2. What did David ask God to teach him?
“Lord,make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is,that I may know how frail I am.”Ps. 39:4. See also Ps. 90:12.
3. Why is sorrow better than laughter?
“Sorrow is better than laughter:for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”Eccl. 7:3.
Note.—“Many of the loveliest songs of peace and trust and hope which God's children sing in this world they have been taught in the hushed and darkened chambers of sorrow.... Afflictions, sanctified, soften the asperities of life. They tame the wildness of nature. They temper human ambitions. They burn out the dross of selfishness and worldliness. They humble pride. They quell fierce passions. They reveal to men their own hearts, their own weakness, faults, blemishes, and perils. They teach patience and submission. They discipline unruly spirits. They deepen and enrich our experience.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 92, 93.
4. Are the righteous freed from afflictions in this world?
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.
5. Does God delight to afflict any?
“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”Lam. 3:31-33.
6. Does He afflict to leave the one chastened in despair?
“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:for He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.”Job 5:17, 18.
7. In what language is the same truth again expressed?
“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: forHe hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”Hosea 6:1. See also Isa. 61:1-3.
8. Whom does the Lord chasten?
“Forwhom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:6.
9. Is this, for the time being, a source of pleasure?
“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.
Note.—“Many of the sweetest joys of Christian hearts are songs which have been learned in the bitterness of trial.”“Many a cold, icy nature is made warm and tender by the grief that crushes it.”—“Week-Day Religion,”by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 91, 93.
10. What, aside from sin, causes more sorrow than all else?
Death, or the loss of loved ones.
11. Does death bring to Christians unassuaged sorrow?
“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.
Note.—The loss of loved ones God often uses as a means of conversion, and of severing the ties which bind to earth. Persecution; sickness; the loss of sight, hearing, or limb; the loss of property; or other calamities, may likewise be instrumental in drawing us nearer to God. See Ps. 119:71; Isa. 26:9.
12. What do our transient afflictions do for us?
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”2 Cor. 4:17. See Rom. 8:28.
Comfort In AfflictionIllustration.David Mourning For Absalom. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee." Isa. 43:2.1. Are God's people free from affliction?“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.2. How does God regard the afflicted?“Heheareth the cryof the afflicted.”Job 34:28.3. What has He promised to be to those in trouble?“God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.”Ps. 46:1.4. With what feelings does the Lord look upon His children?“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”Ps. 103:13.5. What does He know and remember?“For He knowethour frame; He remembereththat we are dust.”Verse 14.6. What has the Lord promised to be to the oppressed?“The Lord also will bea refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Ps. 9:9.7. What has God promised His children when passing through trials and afflictions?[pg 563]“When thou passest through the waters,I will be with thee; and through the rivers,they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”Isa. 43:2.8. What did David say with reference to his being afflicted?“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.”Ps. 119:71.9. When afflicted, for what did he pray?“Look upon my affliction and my pain; andforgive all my sins.”Ps. 25:18.10. Before he was afflicted, what did he do?“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”Ps. 119:67.11. What did Christ learn through suffering?“Though He were a Son, yetlearned He obedience by the things which He suffered.”Heb. 5:8.12. In perfecting character, what must come to all?“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thouthe chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:5, 6.13. Is this chastening a pleasant experience?“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.14. What courage and strength, therefore, should come to us even in the hour of affliction?“Whereforelift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.”Verse 12. See also Job 4:3, 4; Isa. 35:3.15. What did Job say in the midst of his afflictions?“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”Job 13:15.16. What is God called in the Scriptures?“The God of all comfort.”2 Cor. 1:3.17. Whom does God comfort?“God, that comforteththose that are cast down.”2 Cor. 7:6.[pg 564]Illustration.Christ The Consoler. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.[pg 565]18. What promise is made to those that mourn?“Blessed are they that mourn: forthey shall be comforted.”Matt. 5:4.19. Why does God comfort us in tribulation?“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where-*with we ourselves are comforted of God.”2 Cor. 1:4.Note.—One who has passed through trouble and affliction himself, and received comfort from God, is better able to minister comfort to others.20. How should we sympathize with others in their sorrows?“Weep with them that weep.”Rom. 12:15.“To him that is afflictedpity should be showed from his friend.”Job 6:14.21. Does Jesus sympathize with us in our afflictions?“For we have not an high priest which cannot betouched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are.”Heb. 4:15.22. How did He manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary and her friends weeping over the death of Lazarus?“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her,He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.Jesus wept.”John 11:33-35.Note.—Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep. Looking down through the ages, He saw the tears and the heartaches which death would bring to mankind in this sin-stricken world. His heart was touched with human woe, and He wept with those that wept.23. Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has every one who loves God?“And we know thatall things work together for good to them that love God.”Rom. 8:28.Note.—If one loves God, he may rest assured that out of every trial and affliction good will come.24. In bereavement, like whom should we not sorrow?“As others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.25. When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words are we told to comfort one another?“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,[pg 566]with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”Verses 14-18.26. What promise has God made to bereaved mothers?“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; andthey shall come again from the land of the enemy.”Jer. 31:16.27. What did Christ say would be the experience of His people in this world?“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”“Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: andye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”John 16:33, 20.28. In what respect is the reaping of God's people to differ from their sowing?“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth andweepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again withrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”Ps. 126:5, 6.Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned,And sun and moon forevermore have set,The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,And we shall see how all God's ways were right,And how what seemed reproof was love most true.May Riley Smith.Be of good cheer! I know sometimeLife's song will run in perfect rhyme.Somewhere, I know, all things will beAttuned to perfect harmony.Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrainShall be its own surcease of pain.The compensation love will sendWill be in bringing friend to friend;And all the heartaches that we bore,In God's good time will be no more.Robert Lee Walden.
Illustration.David Mourning For Absalom. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee." Isa. 43:2.
David Mourning For Absalom. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee." Isa. 43:2.
1. Are God's people free from affliction?
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”Ps. 34:19.
2. How does God regard the afflicted?
“Heheareth the cryof the afflicted.”Job 34:28.
3. What has He promised to be to those in trouble?
“God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.”Ps. 46:1.
4. With what feelings does the Lord look upon His children?
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”Ps. 103:13.
5. What does He know and remember?
“For He knowethour frame; He remembereththat we are dust.”Verse 14.
6. What has the Lord promised to be to the oppressed?
“The Lord also will bea refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Ps. 9:9.
7. What has God promised His children when passing through trials and afflictions?
“When thou passest through the waters,I will be with thee; and through the rivers,they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”Isa. 43:2.
8. What did David say with reference to his being afflicted?
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.”Ps. 119:71.
9. When afflicted, for what did he pray?
“Look upon my affliction and my pain; andforgive all my sins.”Ps. 25:18.
10. Before he was afflicted, what did he do?
“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”Ps. 119:67.
11. What did Christ learn through suffering?
“Though He were a Son, yetlearned He obedience by the things which He suffered.”Heb. 5:8.
12. In perfecting character, what must come to all?
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thouthe chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”Heb. 12:5, 6.
13. Is this chastening a pleasant experience?
“Nowno chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”Verse 11.
14. What courage and strength, therefore, should come to us even in the hour of affliction?
“Whereforelift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.”Verse 12. See also Job 4:3, 4; Isa. 35:3.
15. What did Job say in the midst of his afflictions?
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”Job 13:15.
16. What is God called in the Scriptures?
“The God of all comfort.”2 Cor. 1:3.
17. Whom does God comfort?
“God, that comforteththose that are cast down.”2 Cor. 7:6.
Illustration.Christ The Consoler. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.
Christ The Consoler. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.
18. What promise is made to those that mourn?
“Blessed are they that mourn: forthey shall be comforted.”Matt. 5:4.
19. Why does God comfort us in tribulation?
“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where-*with we ourselves are comforted of God.”2 Cor. 1:4.
Note.—One who has passed through trouble and affliction himself, and received comfort from God, is better able to minister comfort to others.
20. How should we sympathize with others in their sorrows?
“Weep with them that weep.”Rom. 12:15.“To him that is afflictedpity should be showed from his friend.”Job 6:14.
21. Does Jesus sympathize with us in our afflictions?
“For we have not an high priest which cannot betouched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are.”Heb. 4:15.
22. How did He manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary and her friends weeping over the death of Lazarus?
“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her,He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.Jesus wept.”John 11:33-35.
Note.—Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep. Looking down through the ages, He saw the tears and the heartaches which death would bring to mankind in this sin-stricken world. His heart was touched with human woe, and He wept with those that wept.
23. Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has every one who loves God?
“And we know thatall things work together for good to them that love God.”Rom. 8:28.
Note.—If one loves God, he may rest assured that out of every trial and affliction good will come.
24. In bereavement, like whom should we not sorrow?
“As others which have no hope.”1 Thess. 4:13.
25. When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words are we told to comfort one another?
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,[pg 566]with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”Verses 14-18.
26. What promise has God made to bereaved mothers?
“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; andthey shall come again from the land of the enemy.”Jer. 31:16.
27. What did Christ say would be the experience of His people in this world?
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”“Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: andye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”John 16:33, 20.
28. In what respect is the reaping of God's people to differ from their sowing?
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth andweepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again withrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”Ps. 126:5, 6.
Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned,And sun and moon forevermore have set,The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,And we shall see how all God's ways were right,And how what seemed reproof was love most true.May Riley Smith.Be of good cheer! I know sometimeLife's song will run in perfect rhyme.Somewhere, I know, all things will beAttuned to perfect harmony.Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrainShall be its own surcease of pain.The compensation love will sendWill be in bringing friend to friend;And all the heartaches that we bore,In God's good time will be no more.Robert Lee Walden.
Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned,And sun and moon forevermore have set,The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,And we shall see how all God's ways were right,And how what seemed reproof was love most true.
Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned,
And sun and moon forevermore have set,
The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,
The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,
Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,
As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,
And we shall see how all God's ways were right,
And how what seemed reproof was love most true.
May Riley Smith.
Be of good cheer! I know sometimeLife's song will run in perfect rhyme.Somewhere, I know, all things will beAttuned to perfect harmony.Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrainShall be its own surcease of pain.The compensation love will sendWill be in bringing friend to friend;And all the heartaches that we bore,In God's good time will be no more.
Be of good cheer! I know sometime
Life's song will run in perfect rhyme.
Somewhere, I know, all things will be
Attuned to perfect harmony.
Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrain
Shall be its own surcease of pain.
The compensation love will send
Will be in bringing friend to friend;
And all the heartaches that we bore,
In God's good time will be no more.
Robert Lee Walden.
Trusting In JesusIllustration.Peter's Deliverance. "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. 15:12.1. What did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ?“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people;to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.”Isa. 11:10.Note.—Paul renders this,“In Him shall the Gentilestrust.”Rom. 15:12.2. Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?“That we should beto the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”Eph. 1:12.3. What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”Verse 13, first part.4. What experience followed this trust in Jesus?“In whom also after that ye believed,ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”Verse 13, last part.Note.—To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.5. What is the gospel to every one that believes?“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: forit is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”Rom. 1:16.[pg 568]6. How does God regard one who abandons his faith?“Now the just shall live by faith: butif any man draw back My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”Heb. 10:38.7. Is there danger of believers losing their hold on Christ?“And because iniquity shall abound,the love of many shall wax cold.”Matt. 24:12.8. By what does one gain the victory over the world?“This is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith.”1 John 5:4.9. What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet cheerfully the troubles and trials of life?“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: butbe of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.10. What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; andthey loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).”Heb. 11:36-38.11. What did it lead Moses to do?“By faith Moses, when he was come to years,refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”Verses 24-26.12. What is promised those who trust in Jesus?“There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, buthe shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; andin the world to come eternal life.”Mark 10:29, 30.13. What is Jesus able to do?“Now unto Him that isable to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory.”Jude 24.
Illustration.Peter's Deliverance. "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. 15:12.
Peter's Deliverance. "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. 15:12.
1. What did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ?
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people;to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.”Isa. 11:10.
Note.—Paul renders this,“In Him shall the Gentilestrust.”Rom. 15:12.
2. Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?
“That we should beto the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”Eph. 1:12.
3. What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”Verse 13, first part.
4. What experience followed this trust in Jesus?
“In whom also after that ye believed,ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”Verse 13, last part.
Note.—To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
5. What is the gospel to every one that believes?
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: forit is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”Rom. 1:16.
6. How does God regard one who abandons his faith?
“Now the just shall live by faith: butif any man draw back My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”Heb. 10:38.
7. Is there danger of believers losing their hold on Christ?
“And because iniquity shall abound,the love of many shall wax cold.”Matt. 24:12.
8. By what does one gain the victory over the world?
“This is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith.”1 John 5:4.
9. What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet cheerfully the troubles and trials of life?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: butbe of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.
10. What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; andthey loved not their lives unto the death.”Rev. 12:11.“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).”Heb. 11:36-38.
11. What did it lead Moses to do?
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years,refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”Verses 24-26.
12. What is promised those who trust in Jesus?
“There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, buthe shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; andin the world to come eternal life.”Mark 10:29, 30.
13. What is Jesus able to do?
“Now unto Him that isable to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory.”Jude 24.