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God’s People Will Be Refined by Time of Trouble, Nobember 8
O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their arm every
morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
Isaiah 33:2
, NKJV.
Jacob’s history is also an assurance that [in the final time of trouble] God will
not cast off those who have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin, but
who have returned unto Him with true repentance. While Satan seeks to destroy
this class, God will send His angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril.
The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible;
but the Lord’s eye is upon His people, and His ear listens to their cries. Their
affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the
Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. God’s love for His children
during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of
their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of
fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly
reflected.
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure
weariness, delay, and hunger—a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The
period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because
he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of
importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, and be as
earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are
unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His
blessing, will not obtain it.
Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! How few have ever had their
souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch.
When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant,
how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God.
Those who exercise but little faith now are in the greatest danger of falling
under the power of satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience. And
even if they endure the test they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish
in the time of trouble, because they have never made it a habit to trust in God.
The lessons of faith which they have neglected they will be forced to learn under a
terrible pressure of discouragement.—
The Great Controversy, 621, 622
.
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