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God Permits Trial and Affliction to Purify Me, March
29
Enduring Trials
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand
when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’
soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he
shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,
that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Malachi 3:2, 3
A refining, purifying process is going on among the people of God,
and the Lord of hosts has set His hand to this work. This process is most
trying to the soul, but it is necessary in order that defilement may be
removed. Trials are essential in order that we may be brought close to
our heavenly Father, in submission to His will, that we may offer unto
the Lord an offering in righteousness.... The Lord brings His children
over the same ground again and again, increasing the pressure until
perfect humility fills the mind, and the character is transformed; then
they are victorious over self, and in harmony with Christ and the Spirit
of heaven. The purification of God’s people cannot be accomplished
without suffering.... He passes us from one fire to another, testing our
true worth. True grace is willing to be tried. If we are loath to be searched
by the Lord, our condition is one of peril....
It is in mercy that the Lord reveals to men their hidden defects.
He would have them critically examine the complicated emotions and
motives of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong, and modify
their dispositions and refine their manners. God would have His servants
become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true
knowledge of their condition, He permits the fire of affliction to assail
them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God’s workmen
to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters,
and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory.... The fire
will not consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth
seven times purified, bearing the impress of the Divine.
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