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be heated, but Jesus and angels will watch the trusting Christian, that
nothing may be consumed but the dross. The fire kindled by Satan can
have no power to destroy or hurt the true metal. It is important to close
every door possible, against the entrance of Satan. It is the privilege of
every family so to live that Satan can take no advantage of anything
they may say or do, to tear one another down. Every member of the
family should bear in mind that all have just as much as they can do to
resist our wily foe, and with earnest prayers and unyielding faith each
must rely upon the merits of the blood of Christ and claim His saving
strength.
The powers of darkness gather about the soul and shut Jesus from
our sight, and at times we can only wait in sorrow and amazement until
the cloud passes over. These seasons are sometimes terrible. Hope
seems to fail, and despair seizes upon us. In these dreadful hours we
must learn to trust, to depend solely upon the merits of the atonement,
and in all our helpless unworthiness cast ourselves upon the merits
of the crucified and risen Saviour. We shall never perish while we do
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this—never! When light shines on our pathway, it is no great thing
to be strong in the strength of grace. But to wait patiently in hope
when clouds envelop us and all is dark, requires faith and submission
which causes our will to be swallowed up in the will of God. We are
too quickly discouraged, and earnestly cry for the trial to be removed
from us, when we should plead for patience to endure and grace to
overcome.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. We can have the
salvation of God in our families, but we must believe for it, live for it,
and have a continual, abiding faith and trust in God. We must subdue
a hasty temper and control our words, and in this we shall gain great
victories. Unless we control our words and temper, we are slaves to
Satan. We are in subjection to him. He leads us captive. All jangling
and unpleasant, impatient, fretful words are an offering presented to
his Satanic majesty. And it is a costly offering, more costly than any
sacrifice we can make for God, for it destroys the peace and happiness
of whole families, destroys health, and is eventually the cause of
forfeiting an eternal life of happiness. The restraint which God’s word
imposes upon us is for our own interest. It increases the happiness of
our families and of all around us. It refines our taste, sanctifies our
judgment, and brings peace of mind, and, in the end, everlasting life.