God Knows and Accomplishes the Best Way for Our Salvation ㅡ
“Thus said the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;
Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” (Jeremiah 33:2, 3)
We do not always consider that the sanctification we so earnestly desire and for which we pray so earnestly is brought about through the truth and, by the providence of God, in a manner we least expect.
When we expect peace, we frequently have distrust and doubt because we find ourselves plunged into trials we cannot avoid.
In these trials we are having the answers to our prayers.
In order for us to be purified, the fire of affliction must kindle upon us, and our will must be brought into conformity to the will of God.
In order to be conformed to the image of our Saviour, we pass through a most painful process of refining.
The very ones that we regard the most dear upon the earth may cause us the greatest sorrow and trial.
We may be tested and proved, for God sees it best to put us under a course of discipline which is essential for us before we are fit subjects for the blessing we crave.
We should not become discouraged and give way to doubt, and think that our prayers are not noticed.
We should rely more securely upon Christ and leave our case with God to answer our prayers in His own way.
God has not promised to bestow His blessings through the channels we have marked out.
God is too wise to err and too regardful of our good to allow us to choose for ourselves.
Perfection of Christian character can be obtained only through labor, conflict, and self-denial.
Thank God for the cross, the self-denial.
The ignominy and shame our Saviour endured for us is none too humiliating for those saved by the purchase of His blood.
Heaven will indeed be cheap enough.
(The Upward Look 109)