The Blessing
Of Trials

The Lord's Dilemma

`The more I called Israel, the further they went from Me.' (Hosea 11:2)

`When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they were proud; then they forgot me.' (Hosea 13:6)

Under such circumstances, can God continue to bless? Obviously not, for the more he blesses, the more self-satisfied we become and the further we go from Him. Hence the need for justice . . .

The Kindness of Justice

`When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.' (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

`For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way of life.' (Proverbs 6:23)

Love's Solution

`When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord.' (Isaiah 26:9,10) [Suffering often succeeds where kindness has failed.]

`Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things they have done.' (Ezekiel 33:29)

`See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.' (Isaiah 48:10)

`Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.' (2 Corinthians 8:2)

`In vain I punished your people; they did not respond to correction.' (Jeremiah 2:30)

`When they pray towards this place and confess your name and turn from their sin [why?] because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants.' (1 Kings 8:35)

`Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I may learn your decrees.' (Psalm 119:67,71)

`God's love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity, but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected.' (GC621)

`None who receive God's word are exempt from difficulty and trial; but when affliction comes, the true Christian does not become restless, distrustful, or despondent. Though we cannot see the definite outcome of affairs, or discern the purposes of God's providences, we are not to cast away our confidence. Remembering the tender mercies of the Lord, we shall cast our care upon Him, and with patience wait for His salvation.' (COL60,61)

`God in His great love is seeking to develop in us the precious graces of His Spirit. He permits us to encounter obstacles, persecution, and hardships, not as a curse, but as the greatest blessing of our lives. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne, gives us a new experience, and advances us in the work of character building.' (MB117)

`He suffers deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.' (COL175)

`It is obstacles that make men strong. It is not helps, but difficulties, conflicts, rebuffs, that make men of moral sinew.' (Testimonies to the Church, p.495)

`No character can be complete without trial and suffering.' (Letter 51a, 1874)

`When He permits trials and afflictions, it is "for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness." If received by faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort from Him.' (WM20)

`It was as Joseph contemplated a future in slavery that he "then and there gave himself fully to the Lord." One day's experience had been the turning point in Joseph's life. It's terrible calamity had transformed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, courageous and self-possessed.' (PP214)

`No cross, no crown. How can one be strong in the Lord without trials? To have strength we must have exercise. To have strong faith, we must be placed in circumstances where our faith will be exercised. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God.' (3T67)

`The Lord permits trials of various kinds to call men and women to a higher order of living and to a more sanctified service. Without these trials there would be a continual falling away from the likeness of Christ, and men would become imbued with a spirit of scientific, fanciful, human philosophy, which would lead them to unite with Satan's followers. In the providence of God every good and great enterprise is subjected to trials, to test the purity and the strength of the principles of those who are standing in positions of responsibility and to mold and substantiate the individual human character after God's model. This is the highest order of education.' (MM168)

`The purification of the people of God cannot be accomplished without their suffering. God permits the fires of affliction to consume the dross, to separate the worthless from the valuable, that the pure metal may shine forth. He passes us from one fire to another, testing our true worth. If we cannot bear these trials, what will we do in the time of trouble? If prosperity or adversity discover falseness, pride, or selfishness in our hearts, what shall we do when God tries every man's work as by fire, and lays bare the secrets of all hearts?' (4T84-85)

`God has a song to teach us, and when we have learned it amid the shadows of affliction we can sing it ever afterward.' (MH472)

No Trials, No Perfection

`Perfection of character is attained through exercise of the faculties of the mind, in times of supreme trial, by obedience to every requirement of God's law.' (2SM161)

All Trials?

`All our suffering and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations; in short, all things work together for our good. ALL experiences and circumstances are God's workmen whereby good is brought to us.' (MH489)

`Nothing can touch him [who abides in Christ] except by our Lord's permission, and "all things" that are permitted "work together for good to them that love God.' (Romans 8:28) (MB71)

`Our trials are all necessary to bring us close to our heavenly Father, in obedience to His will, that we may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.' (3T541)

`The obstacles, provocations, and hardships that we meet, may prove to us, not a curse, but the greatest blessings of our lives; for the grandest characters are built amid hardships and trials. But they must be received as practical lessons in the school of Christ. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne, gives us a new experience and advances us in the work of character building. We have a better knowledge of the working of Satan, and of our own power to defeat him through divine grace.’ (HP46)

How Often Are We Tried?

`The Lord chooses His own agents, and each day under different circumstances He gives them a trial in His plan of operation.' (COL330)

`It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.' (DA382)

What If We Are Not Tried?

`Those only who have partaken of the sufferings of the Son of God, and have come up through great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, can enjoy the indescribable glory and unsurpassed beauty of heaven.' (1T155)

A Remedy for Many Ills

`Before we are delivered from Satan's power without, we must be delivered from his power within. The Lord permits trials in order . . . 

(1) that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character.

He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order . . . 

(2) that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He has sent,

in order . . . 

(3) that we might have deep heart longings to be cleansed from defilement, and

(4) may come forth from the trial purer, holier, happier.

Often we enter the furnace of trial with our souls darkened with selfishness, but if patient under the crucial test,

(5) we shall come forth reflecting the divine character.' (COL175)

And If We Fail the Test?

`If they fail to endure the trial, He brings them again to the same point, and the second time the trial will come closer, and be more severe than the preceding. This is continued until they bear the test, or, if they are still rebellious, God withdraws His light from them and leaves them in darkness. [Remember however that He would have tried blessings before repeated trials]' (PP437)

God's Promise

`When real trouble comes, God will fit every meek and lowly one to bear it. When His providence permits it to come, He will provide help to endure it.' (2T641)

`The trial will not exceed the strength that shall be given us to bear it. Then let us take up our work just where we find it, believing that whatever may come, strength proportionate to the trial will be given.' (SC125; See PP332)

`There shall be a highway for the remnant of His people . . . as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.' (Isaiah 11:6)

The Real Danger

`There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer.' (COL175)

Our Attitude During Times of Trial

`From the story of Daniel's deliverance, we may learn that in seasons of trial and gloom, God's children should be just what they were when their prospects were bright with hope and their surroundings all that they could desire.' (PK539)

`Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' (James 1:2)

`But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience hope.' (Romans 5:3,4)

`The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time refining us. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His work.' (MH471)

`The difficulties that seem so formidable, that fill your soul with dread, will vanish as you move forward in the path of obedience, humbly trusting in God.' (PP437)

`My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in. Endure hardship as discipline. God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been tried by it.' (Proverbs 2:11, 12; 3:10-12)

`It is when we come into difficult places that He reveals His power and wisdom in answer to humble prayer.' (Ministry of Healing, p.199)

`When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour.' (DA382)

`Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, "Go Forward." We should obey the command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. The path where God leads the way may lie through the desert or the sea, but it is a safe path.' (PP290)

`Christ, our example, did nothing to vindicate or deliver Himself. He committed His case to God. So His followers are not to accuse or condemn, or to resort to force in order to deliver themselves. When trials arise that seem unexplainable, we should not allow our peace to be spoiled. However unjustly we may be treated, let not passion arise. By indulging a spirit of retaliation we injure ourselves. We destroy our own confidence in God, and grieve the Holy Spirit. There is by our side a witness, a heavenly messenger, who will lift up for us a standard against the enemy. He will shut us in with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. Beyond this Satan cannot penetrate. He cannot pass this shield of Holy Light.' (COL171/172)

`Therefore we do not lose heart. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.' (2 Corinthians 4:16,17)

`Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.' (1 Peter 5:7)

Concluding Thoughts

`Some are exercised by the simple discipline the Lord gives them in gentleness and love. Others require the slow discipline of suffering.' (FW86)

`The followers of Christ must tread the same path of humiliation, reproach and suffering which their Master trod.' (GC39)

`The blood of Christians is seed.' (Tertullian)

`The deepest poverty, the greatest self-denial, with His approval, is better than riches, honors, ease and friendship without it. We must take time to pray. If we allow our minds to be absorbed with worldly interests, the Lord may give us time by removing from us our idols of gold, of houses, or of fertile lands.' (GC622)

`Better far the cross and disappointed hopes, with eternal life at last, than to live with princes and forfeit heaven.' (CH226)

`When the light of the world passes by, privileges appear in all hardships, order in confusion, the success and wisdom of God in that which has seemed a failure.' (CH27)

`The experience gained in the furnace of trial and affliction is worth more than all the inconvenience and painful experience it costs.' (3T415)

`The experience gained in these trials is of more value than the most costly jewels.' (3T555)

The perfect fruit of faith, meekness, and love often matures best amid storm clouds and darkness.' (COL61)

`Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?' (Romans 8:35)

`Whatever crosses they have been called upon to bear, whatever losses they have sustained, whatever persecution they have suffered, even at the loss of their temporal life, the children of God are amply recompensed. "They shall see His face; and His name shall be on their foreheads." (Revelation 22:4)

Sundry Considerations

What did the trials of the prodigal son accomplish for him?

Regardless of the prodigal's attitude or situation, at no time was he anything less than the son of his Father.

`Shall we not consider that Christ's righteousness in His perfect obedience to His Father's commandments was the cause of His crucifixion.' (CWE100)