the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father’s full giving is only begun. His love has no limit; His grace has no measure; His power no boundary known unto men: For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again. “ Tribulation Worketh Patience ” There is another reason why God per mits His children to endure trials and affliction. He knows the value of experi ence in developing stalwart Christian character and in bringing out the fullest expression of the Christian graces. Of many passages from His Word along this line, two are almost identical: one from the pen of Paul; the other, from James. Let us read these two Scripture portions carefully: “We glory in tribulations also: know ing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experi ence, 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). “ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations [or trials]; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire [or mature and com plete in the Christian experience], want ing nothing” (James 1:2-4). It is not an easy thing to “ glory” or rejoice in tribulations, to “count it all joy” when manifold trials come. Only the grace of God can teach us to receive trouble with joy, knowing that so re ceived it makes us more like our risen Lord, and enables us to glorify Him. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit in the heart that we can do this. Another text bearing upon this same truth is found in Proverbs 3:12 and quoted in Hebrews 12:6. “ Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” The thought here implied in “ chastening” is not that of punishment, but rather of “ child training.” Let us read it like this: “Whom the Lord loveth he child-trains.” What a world of comfort we find in the thought! A kind Father in Heaven, knowing how impatient and impetuous we are, wants us to become kind and pa tient and gracious. And one way of ac complishing this for us and in us is by permitting the fires of testing to burn up the dross. This ig what Job meant when he said, “ He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Have you ever wondered at the placid, calm, untroubled spirit of some mature Christian, perhaps some elderly saint, who has gone through great sorrow? Have you ever marveled at the child-like faith of such a Christian? His or her presence is a benediction to young and (Continued on Page 19) T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
with a talent for music, Annie Johnson Flint hoped for a brilliant career in this art. But at an early age arthritis fas tened its grip on her body; and by the time she was twenty-five, she was a real sufferer. Many years she lived, through her pain, to witness to the Lord she loved, spending her days in an invalid’s chair or confined to a bed of pain. Yet she accepted her sufferings as a trust from God, and proved the sufficiency of His grace. Among her many beautiful poems which exalt the Lord Jesus and render praise to Him and His ways with
Then one Lord’s Day after the morn ing service, I had just sat down to din ner when a long-distance call told me that after the Saturday evening meet ing at the Mission on the previous day my two friends had gone for a ride. Their car was struck by an interurban express train and both of them were in stantly killed. They themselves went into the pres ence of the Lord they loved, which was “ far better” than any earthly experi ence; but they left behind them a stricken family who wondered why God had permitted such a tragic death, espe cially when His servants were being so greatly used for His glory. I was asked to have a part in the fu neral service. A son of the man and a sister of his wife met me at the station. They took me to the scene of the acci dent, and the sister said: “ I’ve been a Christian for twenty years. I have trusted through light and shadow. But for the first time in my life I am in dense darkness. Can you give me a text of Scripture that will meet my need?” And immediately the Holy Spirit flashed into my mind Isaiah .50:10. I read it, line by line, asking her if it fit her case. She said it did. And it fits the case of every groping, troubled soul who would prove the sufficiency of God’s grace. In the time of storm, my friend, you need an anchor outside your own life and mind, even as the anchor is cast out side the ship at sea. You must be an chored in a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for you, who loves you with an everlasting love. Paul knew what it was to prove the sufficiency of God’s grace. To him was given “a thorn in the flesh”—to quote the great apostle, “ the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be ex alted above measure” (2 Cor. 12:7). To him God had given a special revelation. He had been caught up to the third Heaven, instructed of God in the great doctrines he was to give to the church. (See 2 Cor. 12:1-4; compare Rom. 16:25, 26; Gal. 1:11-17; Eph. 3:1-11.) To keep him humble, in the face of these mar velous privileges, God allowed him to suffer “ a thorn in the flesh.” Bible stu dents generally agree that it was a very poor eyesight, for often Paul had to dic tate his letters to another. Whatever it was, it was “in the flesh.” It was physi cal. Concerning it,, he writes further, saying: “ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” These won derful words have comforted thousands of sorrowing hearts since Paul’s day. Can you and I say with Paul in reply, “ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” ? (2 Cor. 12:8, 9.) Many Christians today are familiar with the life story of Annie Johnson Flint, who a few years ago went to be with Christ. An orphan at the age of six, she and her sister were adopted by a man and his wife in Vermont. Gifted Page Twelve
His redeemed children is one that aptly expresses the thought we are dwelling upon here. It is based on the words found in James 4:6. He givdth more grace when, the bur dens grow greater; He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added affliction He addeth His mercy To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the
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