FAITH SHINES BRIGHTER IN WINTER

Profoundly True

“There are some of thy graces which would never
be discovered if it were not for thy trials.
Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so
grand in summer weather as it does in winter?” (Spurgeon)

While so much of the country is dealing with the unseemly winter weather, this quote by Spurgeon almost made me chuckle this morning! The more I considered his observation and the further I read, however, the more it proved to be profoundly true.

“Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness."

“Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity."

“Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of his chileren’s graces, to make them shine the better."

Yes, dear friends, there is a purpose in adversity, if we allow it to draw us nigh to the Glorious Savior’s feet.

Adversity reminds us of our frailty and our constant need. Without the comforts of a life of ease, we would have little to help us discover the graces which have been so lovingly granted us. I daresay we would miss out on the richness of life with Christ without the reminders along the way that He is our Strength, He is our Comfort, He is our Provider, and so much more.

Consider soldiers in training. If they had not been called upon to come out of their tents or barracks where they find rest and protection from the enemy, they wouldn’t be prepared to do the job for which they are commissioned. As soldiers in God’s army, we must consider the adversity we experience to be the training ground for dealing with troubles we face in this world. Without such training, we would not know how to exercise our faith and grow through our challenges in life.

Allow the Lord to work in your life to unveil His graces as your endure the trials to which He has called you.

“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet:
Lay me low, and keep me there."

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NOTE: Based on C. H. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening: Daily Readings for February 18.