TRIALS OF FAITH-WHY PERMITTED.
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MANY are perplexed as
to why false doctrines are permitted to annoy and confuse God’s people. On
receiving the truth and rejoicing in it they seem to think they have at last
come to the end of all controversy, and have entered the Beulah land of rest
and peace, thenceforth never again to be disturbed. But this is quite a
mistake: our great adversary, Satan, is not disposed to let the children of
light walk on undisturbed into the heavenly kingdom. Against that kingdom and
its establishment, and against all its prospective probationary heirs, he is an
inveterate enemy, and his power is not yet bound. The children of light, the
heirs of the kingdom, are, therefore, the special targets against which his
fiery darts are aimed. As soon as they escape from the kingdom of darkness and
begin to walk in the light, they may therefore expect to find snares spread for
their feet and stumbling blocks placed in their way. The work is done with
subtlety, too, that, if possible, the escaped bird may be deceived and caught
unawares. And, as a matter of fact, thousands are so caught, and only a few
escape the “strong delusions” of this “evil day” of Satanic wrath and power.
It is a fair and reasonable question therefore, Why does the Lord permit
the strong delusions and trials of faith of this evil day, when they actually
do overthrow the faith of many and severely test all? To this inquiry the
Apostle Paul (2 Thes. 2:10-12) makes answer, saying, “For this cause, God,
shall send them [Whom?-Those “who received not the love of the truth that they
might be saved”] strong delusions, that they should believe a lie; that they
all might be condemned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.”
Thus plainly we are told that God not only permits, but that he also
desires, that the faith of his professed people should be severely tried. And
if the thousands fall by these fiery darts of the enemy, it is because they are
unworthy of the truth, not having received it in the love of it. Many indeed
receive the truth very much as a child receives a new toy. It is a curiosity,
something new, to be enjoyed for a season and then laid aside to be superseded
by something else that temporarily pleases the fancy. Or, it is valued as a
cudgel wherewith to gain the honors of victory in argument with disputing
opponents. Or, again, it affords relief to some from a long imposed bondage of
fear of eternal torment, and for this alone it is chiefly valued. They never
did enjoy such a prospect, and often feared they were not quite good enough to
escape torment and get inside the door of heaven.
All who thus lightly esteem the truth, merely to minister to their
selfishness, are unworthy of it; and it is the will of God that all such should
lose it. Hence the divinely permitted and desired testing of faith-the strong
delusions, which, “if it were possible, would deceive the very elect,”-those
who have received the truth in the love of it, and not in any mean, selfish
spirit. The truth was never intended for the listless, nor for the wicked.
The former are unworthy of it and the latter are better without it until taught
to use and not abuse the liberty it brings. “Light [truth] is sown for the
righteous, and joy [the joys of the truth] for the upright in heart.” It is
just as well that others, especially the wicked, should remain under the
bondage of errors which to some extent control them until the strong power of
Christ’s kingdom is due to take the control of the world. For this reason God
has permitted the superstitions of the past to fetter men’s minds, and only in
the present close proximity to the kingdom is he allowing some of the shackles
of error to be loosened; and in the great time of trouble this will be seen to
be the unchaining of the tiger of human passions, which would be disastrous in
the extreme, were it not for the strong rule of the iron rod which will shortly
command order, and say to the warring elements, “Peace, be still!” To the listless
and selfish who are not grossly wicked, the truth is only made to minister to
pride and selfishness, and hence it is the will of God that all such should
lose it, as they do in pursuance of their natural dispositions with reference
to it. But the true children of God love the truth
because they have an affinity for it. They love righteousness, they
love their fellow men, and desire to bless and help them. They have large
benevolence and brotherly kindness. They are meek, too, and not anxious to
make a show of self and to glory over their fellows in argument; nor are they
mere curiosity-hunters. When they have found the truth
they recognize its value; they prize it and meditate upon it; they view
it as a grand and systematic embodiment of the highest ideal of righteousness,
love and benevolence. They rejoice not only in its gracious provisions for the
elect joint-heirs with Christ, but also for all mankind, as well as in the
merciful dealings of God with the finally incorrigibly wicked whom he will mercifully
destroy, but not torment. They say, It is just like
God: it is the manifestation of his glorious goodness, the reflection of his
loving, benevolent, wise and just character.
And therefore they love the truth and the God who gave it: they treasure it up
in their hearts and con it over again and again; and as they look into it, and
admire all its symmetry and beauty, they strive more and more to conform their
own characters to the same lines of beauty and seek to commend it by word and
conduct to others, that they also may be blessed by it.
This is what it is to receive the truth into good and honest
hearts. For such the truth was intended; and it is not possible for them to be
deceived by the sophistries of error. They know a good thing when they have
it, and therefore hold it fast. They cling to it just as steel filings cling
to a magnet, because they have an affinity for it. If you run a magnet through
a box of sawdust and steel filings it will come out covered with the steel
filings. A little sawdust may rest lightly on it, too, just as some people
associate themselves with the truth and with those who hold it very dear; but
the sawdust is easily blown off, while the steel filings hold fast. Just so
multitudes of those who associate themselves with the Lord’s people are easily
carried away with a little wind of new false doctrine. And though they do not
all disappear with the first breeze, a few more breezes will carry them all
away. But the true ones God will not permit to be tempted above what they are
able to bear; for he has given his angels a charge concerning them, and in
their hands they shall bear them up lest at any time they should dash their
feet against a stone.
The angel or messenger thus commissioned may be some well-instructed
brother who has studied to show himself a workman approved unto God, rightly
dividing the Word of truth, and ever ready to feed the flock of God, or some
faithful sister, ever watchful with motherly interest over the lambs of the
flock. Albeit, the Lord will always provide for his own elect, and they shall
not stumble nor fall.
The one thing for all the called to look to first is that they have received,
and that they still hold, the truth in the love of it. Freely imbibe its
blessed spirit and live in its hallowed atmosphere; “for, if any man have not
the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” “Through sanctification of the
spirit and belief of the truth” you are chosen to the great salvation now
shortly to be revealed (2 Thes. 2:13.) But the belief of the truth will avail
nothing if it be not permitted to produce its legitimate fruit in a good and
honest heart-viz., sanctification of the spirit, a complete setting
apart to the divine will and service. Let us lay this lesson well to heart, and
so run as to obtain the prize of our high calling. “Buy the truth” at any cost
of self-sacrifice, “and sell it not” for any paltry present advantage.
style='font-family:Verdana'>THE GREAT
PYRAMID.
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O mighty structure of a time
When nations dead were in their prime;
Whose lines and measurements immense
Were fashioned by Omnipotence,
And laid, without a word to check,
By king and priest Melchizedek!
What precious symbols long unknown
Were built beneath thy corner stone!
How faultless, graceful, every line,
In those stupendous walls of thine!
A sign and wonder, heaven-planned,
For saints, if wise, to understand;
An altar and a pillar tall,
To warn, instruct and comfort all,
Who faithful all their talents give
And, dying daily, die to live.
A witness mute, yet eloquent,
A marvel and a monument,
Upreared by hands inspired to prove
That God Eternal reigns in Love;
For in thy labyrinths we trace
His dealings with the human race-
The path to glory hard to tread,
The death of those to goodness dead,
The rough hewn narrowness of ways
That lead to life and endless days;
The step on step to life complete,
The Head, the Body and the Feet,
Of a great following joined in one
Eclipsing many a dazzling sun;
The depths unfath’mable profound,
Without an echo or a sound,
A symbol of the death of One,
Our Savior and Jehovah’s Son;
With signs and tokens scattered round
To prove He burst each icy bond
Of death the conqueror, conquered then,
For sinful and believing men;
The planes and parallels to guide
His Church elect and faithful Bride.
Its sure foundation solid rock,
Like faith impregnable. No shock-
Of ‘whelming flood, or raging storm-
Can shake an atom, or deform
That towering witness strong, divine,
To us a miracle-and sign
Of promised blessings sure to come,
A guide omnipotent to home. -R. S. FOSTER.