ADDRESSES O.N ROMANS
\ Someone mentioned Rom. 8:28. At the table was the woman who managed the hotel where we were staying. We were eating biscuits that she had made. When this verse was spok~ en of, she said: "The meaning of Rom. 8:28 can be illustrated by one of these biscuits. There is nothing in this biscuit good to eat in itself. None of us would eat any of the ingredients alone-flour or shortening, soda or salt. But when these things are combined, the result is appetizing and palatable. After the dough has been exposed to the action of heat, which is in itself unpleasant, all of the ingredients 'work together' to make good biscuits." Sometimes in our Christian experience we meet with trials and difficulties which, at the time, seem contrary to all that makes for profit and happiness; but in later years, as we look back over the road we have traveled, we see how God was guiding all the while, burning up the dross, refining the gold. making us vessels "unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use" (II Tim. 2:21 ). Many of God's people think that everything is against them. Joseph down in Egypt must have felt like this. His brothers had sold him into slavery. Then he was falsely accused and thrown into prison, where he spent two long years. But later he saw the purpose of God in these severe trials, and he gave God the glory. To his brothers, who feared for their lives, he said: "As for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Gen. 50:20) . "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." (See Gen. 45:5~8 ..) Joseph's family was given the most fertile land in Egypt, and there he cared for them. Then he thanked God for what he had suffered. He saw the unfolding of God's plan, even though he had doubtless thought every~ thing was against him during the days of his many trials. My dear suffering saint, the One who saved you from sin has given you His Holy Spirit. You may not understand the tears Page 154]
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