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and disappointed to find themselves, as never before, confronted
by obstacles and beset by trials and perplexities. They pray for
Christlikeness of character, for a fitness for the Lord’s work, and
they are placed in circumstances that seem to call forth all the evil of
their nature. Faults are revealed of which they did not even suspect
the existence. Like Israel of old they question, “If God is leading us,
why do all these things come upon us?”
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory
shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy.”
1 Peter 4:12, 13
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It is because God is leading them that these things come upon
them. Trials and obstacles are the Lord’s chosen methods of disci-
pline and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the
hearts of men knows their characters better than they themselves
know them. He sees that some have powers and susceptibilities
which, rightly directed, might be used in the advancement of His
work. In His providence He brings these persons into different
positions and varied circumstances that they may discover in their
character the defects which have been concealed from their own
knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and
to fit themselves for His service. Often He permits the fires of
affliction to assail them that they may be purified.
The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the
Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to de-
velop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name,
He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless
stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The black-
smith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what
manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be
placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of
and whether they can be fashioned for His work.
The potter takes the clay and molds it according to his will. He
kneads it and works it. He tears it apart and presses it together. He