“THE TRIAL OF FAITH.”
BY CARRIE F. JUDD.
But He knoweth the
way that I take: when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold. –Job.
xxiii:10.
It is often our
ignorance of God’s dealings with us in the trying of our faith, which makes us
fail to “hold fast unto the end,” and causes us so soon to grown “wearied and
faint in our minds.”
Faith is always
tested. If we think that our faith is stronger than it really is, we must be
shown our error, and again this very trial of faith is essential for its
purifying and strengthening. Have not many of us noticed, when we have taken a
more dedicated position of trust, or when we have prayed for an increase of
faith, that we seem immediately to be plunged into waves of trial and billows
of perplexity which threaten to overwhelm?
It is important
for us to remember at the outset that the trial of faith differs widely
from the trials and fears proceeding from unbelief. The very nature of
the expression indicates this, for there can be no trying of our faith unless
we first have some faith for God to try. From the very moment when by faith we
justify God and accept His promises, the trial of our faith begins. It may be
longer or shorter, and more or less severe, but from the time we claim a
blessing on the authority of God’s word, until the realization of the
possession of that blessings, our faith is in God’s crucible.
Too often we fail
to understand this, and are sadly perplexed through the ordeal; too often we
forget the apostle’s injunction to “think it not strange concerning the fiery
trial” which tries us, but were apt to consider it some “strange thing” which
has happened unto us; and thus too often we fail to rejoice through this season
of suffering, forgetting the glory which shall afterward be revealed when trial
shall end in victory and we shall “be glad with exceeding joy.” –(I Pet. iv:
12, 13.)
“The trying of
our faith worketh patience,” is the comforting word which we are to cherish
through these waiting hours, and in “the patience of Christ,” into which our
hearts are thus directed, we may look hopefully forward to the clearer
reflection of His image in our hearts.
“Ye have need
of patience,” the apostle says, and how often we realize this need as the
perverse impetuosity of our spirits is disclosed to us! This dross must be
burned away, and s comforting to know that the trial as “with fire” is only
given as we require it,-“for a season, if need be, ye are heaviness
through manifold temptations.”-(1 Pet. i:6)
It is only
through such depths that we learn to know and appreciate the infinite patience
of God. Once in a period of waiting, I asked, not in a spirit of rebellion, but
of inquiry, “Why does God delay this blessing? Why does the Eternal God, Who
has every resource at His command, have any need of time?” But since
then has come the answer: “’All things are for your sakes; you have need
of God’s taking time, and in His marvelous patience He is content to await
‘fullness of time’ for you.”
Let us bear in
mind that it is “after we have done the will of God” that we
“receive the promise,” and again we are commanded to be “followers of them who,
through faith and patience, inherit the promises.”
From the light of
the Word we notice another ray illuminating the heavy hours of temptation; the end
is shown, through indefinitely, by the expression “for a season,” and so
through the fiery splendor of the purifying flames, we behold the furnace door
ajar, and contemplate “the way of escape” which God has promised to provide,
suffering us not to be tried above our strength.
Like a refreshing
breath from the council-chambers of Heaven, comes to us an unfolded secret of
Divine forethought and mercy. “And this He said to prove him; for He
Himself knew what He would do.” –(John vi:6.) Yes, He knows the blessed end, if we do not, and in
His knowledge may we not rest, content to believe His comforting assurance that
the trial of our faith is “precious,” even “more precious than of gold that
perish?’
Let me illustrate
these truths by an experience of my own, through which many points, formerly
perplexing, were made clear to me. Suddenly attacked one day by a physical
ailment which occasioned great suffering, and which, humanly speaking, required
a certain course of treatment and nursing to give any relief, I took the case
to my “Great Physician” in prayer, and pleaded for relief from pain. But the
hours passed by and I was conscious only of increased suffering, while by
degrees the conviction forced itself upon me that I must make a direct claim
of faith before my prayer would be granted. Glancing at my watch, I said,
“It is four minutes past ten (A.M.), and I now accept the blessing which
is already mine by the merits of my Saviour’s Atonement. In the name of the
Lord I am healed.”
Having made this
declaration by faith, and on the authority of God’s truth, without reference to
my feelings, there began a trial or proving of my faith. For several hours
longer I engaged in my customary duties, growing more and more worn with
suffering, but responding meanwhile to every taunt of the enemy, “I was healed
at four minutes past ten this morning, and so I am healed now.”
Later, while
uniting in prayer with a Christian friend, the sweet message came with wondrous
power to my mind: “This trial of your faith has not been lost time.
Every moment of it is precious in God’s sight, and it will bear precious fruit
in the strengthening of your faith. Be of good courage, for God will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also
make a way of escape.”
Resting on this
precious promise I was prepared to endure a longer period of suffering if my
loving Teacher saw best, but the needful lesson had been learned, and relief
came shortly after.
As I realized
with thanksgiving and joy the perfect healing, so wondrously wrought, the
thought came to my mind, “Although I am only now conscious of being made
whole, the healing was accomplished at the very moment I first made my claim of
faith before God.”
One more trial of
faith which will be helpful to many waiting ones, I will briefly record. A dear
sister, well known to me through a mutual friend, was healed of nearly total
blindness of many years’ duration, in answer to the prayer of Dr. Chas. Cullis,
of Boston. For a short time she rejoiced in the possession of fight sounding on
God’s praises on the right hand and left, proclaiming Him her all-sufficient
Healer and Saviour. Then, to her amazement and consternation, she again became
blind. Concealing as much as possible from the outside world this new
manifestation of the Devil’s rage, she counted as before to claim her healing
as accomplished, and for three long and weary months held on in the darkness.
And then came the victory, and such a victory as only our God can give1
For years since then she has enjoyed perfect sight, and has used her eyes, as
well as the rest of her consecrated powers, to the glory of God.
In relating these
experiences, however, I would remind my readers that the inspiration of faith
is not always given in the same manner. Many times in my own life it has been
proved that “there are diversity of operations, but it is the same God which
worketh all in all.”-(I Cor. xii:6.) The
faith to grasp the promises is given by the Holy Spirit, and sweet is it to
know that “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal,” that He does not work by the same rule of operation each time, but
gives the inspiration (when we will heed it0 according to our present
condition and needs.
