God Permits Trial
and Affliction to Purify Me
But who may abide the
day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a
refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and
purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as
gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Mal. 3:2, 3
A refining, purifying process is going on
among the people of God, and the Lord of hosts has set His hand to this work.
This process is most trying to the soul, but it is necessary in order that
defilement may be removed. Trials are essential in order that we may be brought
close to our heavenly Father, in submission to His will, that we may offer unto
the Lord an offering in righteousness. . . . The Lord brings His children over
the same ground again and again, increasing the pressure until perfect humility
fills the mind, and the character is transformed; then they are victorious over
self, and in harmony with Christ and the Spirit of heaven. The purification of
God's people cannot be accomplished without suffering. . . . He passes us from
one fire to another, testing our true worth. True grace is willing to be tried.
If we are loath to be searched by the Lord, our condition is one of peril. . .
.
It is in mercy that the Lord reveals to
men their hidden defects. He would have them critically examine the complicated
emotions and motives of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong, and
modify their dispositions and refine their manners. God would have His servants
become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true
knowledge of their condition, He permits the fire of affliction to assail them,
so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God's workmen to remove
the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit them
for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. . . . The fire will not
consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth seven times purified,
bearing the impress of the Divine.
From My Life Today - Page 97
