The Signs of the Times
May 20, 1908
Our Comfort in Trial
God sees and tenderly sympathizes with those who are tempted. He hears the voice of supplication and distress. Not a groan, not a tear, not a sigh, escapes His notice. Christ came to this world to work out the plan of redemption in man's behalf, to show him how to overcome the temptations of the enemy. Will God, then, withhold from His children anything that will perfect their characters? If He did not love us, this great sacrifice would not have been made. ST May 20, 1908, par. 1
The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. Whatever comes to him comes from the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Nothing can touch him except by the Lord's permission. All our sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations, in short, all things work together for good. All experiences and circumstances are God's workmen whereby good is brought to us. ST May 20, 1908, par. 2
The gift of Christ is our pledge of help in trouble, and of victory in conflict. In Christ is the strength of His people; for to Him all power has been given. “He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” ST May 20, 1908, par. 3
In the darkest hour, let faith pierce the cloud surrounding you; for Christ is behind, and He does all things well. We have a covenant-keeping God, who knows all our necessities, a God who unites with His majesty the gentleness and tenderness of the shepherd. He has pledged Himself to supply all our need. Have faith in Him; for His honor is at stake. He will not alter the thing that has gone out of His mouth. He will fulfil His promise. Absolute power is His, and no obstacle can stand before Him. His understanding is infinite; He can not err. He is never in perplexity in regard to the means that He will employ. He says, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.... I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee.” ST May 20, 1908, par. 4
Nothing of the world can make sad those whom Jesus makes glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusted in Thee.” Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit our lives to the keeping of the Master-worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. ST May 20, 1908, par. 5
As thru Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, “Come, learn of Me,” and in thus coming, we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God thru Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory will be revealed to us; and the more we know of God the more intense will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what is this compared with the hereafter! There “are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” ST May 20, 1908, par. 6