Deliver us, O Lord Jesus
"Beloved,
think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you."
-I
PETER
4:12 [KJV]
The
"fiery trial," then, is not a strange thing which happens
only to a few of the Lord's family, but is more or less the appointed
lot of all. Do we not hear the Lord saying to His Zion, "I
have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction?" All then
that are chosen must pass through the furnace of affliction, and all
know experimentally the fiery trial, for by it they are made
partakers of Christ's sufferings.
But
this is indispensable in order to be partakers of His
glory. "If so be that we suffer
with Him,
that we may be also glorified together."
Thus they suffer with Him,
"that when His
glory shall be revealed, they may be glad also with exceeding joy."
And this suffering with and for Christ in the furnace of affliction
salts the soul, preserves it from corruption, communicates health,
gives it savour and flavour, is a token of interest in the
everlasting covenant, and is a seal of friendship and peace with God.
-Gospel
report by preacher J.C. Philpot (1802-1869 A.D.)
JANUARY
13th, EARS FROM HARVESTED SHEAVES
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