testified, “I have learned in whatso ever state I am, therewith to be content.” In verse four we see the result of testings, “But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.” This word perfect speaks of maturi ty in spiritual growth. God wants us in perfect adjustment with Him- HIS NAME AT THE TOP I had the nicest Christmas list, The longest one in town, Till Daddy looked at it and said, “You'll have to cut it down." I know that what he said was true Beyond the faintest doubt. But was amazed to hear him say, "You've left your best Friend out." And so I scanned my list again, And said, "Oh, that's not true!" But Daddy said, "H is name's not there. That Friend who died for you." And then I clearly understood, 'Twas Jesus that he meant; For Him who should come first of all I hadn't planned a cent! I'd made a Christmas birthday list, And left the Saviour out! But, oh, it didn't take me long To change the list about, And though I've had to drop some names Of folks I like a lot, My Lord must have the most— because H IS N AM E IS A T THE TOP! self. This work of testing serves to “perfect” that in us. Many Chris tians rebel when testings come. They allow things to irritate them. You know the story of the oyster, that an iritation invades its shell and so the creature simply covers it with the most precious part of its being. Out of the problem a pearl is formed. Every irritation coming into our lives is an opportunity in pearl cul ture. Trials are not always a sign
of God’s displeasure. Andrew Mur ray suggested that when trials come to the child of God we should con sider four things. “I am here first by God’s appointment. Second, I am in His keeping. Third, I am under His training. Fourth, the experience is for His time.” A girl in China was converted to Christ. As a result, she had to bear much persecution from her heathen relatives. They beat her, locking her in her room. They even tried to starve her to death, ordering that she surrender her faith. Day after day she sang the hymn she had learned in her own language. Each stanza ended, “My Father’s at the helm.” She was victorious even amid the trials. If we are really trusting in Christ for our salvation, if we really have had the experience of the new birth, if we have fully trusted the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and through the empty tomb, then trials shouldn’t crush us. Our Heavenly Father is at the helm. We shall never find God to be a liv ing reality until first of all we feel Him to be an absolute necessity. Yes, a believer can rejoice in testings, knowing that thereby he will learn valuable lessons of patience. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” * * * Regardless of your position in life, get ting on your knees will help to keep you on your toes. * * * "Get on fire for God, and men will come to see you burn!" * * * One way to correct your children is to correct the example you are setting them. * * * Nature forms us, sin deforms us. Scrip ture informs us, and Christ transforms us. * * * Whenever a man is ready to uncover his sins, God is always willing to cover them. 20
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