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Morning and Evening

February 18, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me." — Job 10:2 · KJV

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop your graces. There are some of your graces that would never be discovered were it not for your trials. Do you not know that your faith never looks so grand in summer as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing little light except in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star — not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the dark backdrop against which God sets the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the brighter. Only a little while ago you were on your knees saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith; let me know that I have faith." Was not that really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials? For how can you know you have faith until your faith is exercised? Depend on it, God often sends us trials so that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be assured they exist. And it is not merely discovery: real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by sending them out on forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford streams and swim rivers and climb mountains and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles you are passing through? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is not this why He is contending with 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.